President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone highlighted the strong partnership between Sierra Leone and China during his state visit to Beijing from February 27 to March 2. As the first African head of state to visit China in 2024, President Bio reaffirmed that China is “a reliable and dependable partner” for his country.
The visit comes ahead of the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for the second half of 2024 in Beijing. China is preparing to welcome African leaders to strengthen cooperation and friendship between China and the African continent.
In an exclusive interview with CMG’s Wang Guan on the program “Leaders Talk,” President Bio expressed admiration for China’s development, noting that “discipline and orderliness are China’s hallmarks.” He praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for remaining focused on his vision for China’s progress.
“China is not only our largest trading partner but also a nation whose culture is commonplace in Sierra Leone,” President Bio remarked. He emphasized that China is not in a predatory relationship with Africa, and he believes that President Xi’s global initiatives will “refocus” the world on peace and development.
President Bio’s visit underscores the deepening ties between Sierra Leone and China, reflecting a mutual commitment to collaboration in political, economic, and cultural spheres. The upcoming FOCAC meeting in Beijing is expected to further enhance China-Africa relations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
