On 2 March 2023, Ambassador Wang Qing hosted the Reception of the Assumption of Office in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The reception was attended by Honourable Mr. Bundu, the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Prof. DavidFrancis, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and other cabinet Ministers, friends from all walks of life, various heads of diplomatic missions and representatives from the Chinese community in Sierra Leone .
In his speech, Ambassador Wang Qing said that it is a great honor to be appointed as the new Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is a beautiful country with friendly people and has seen stable social and economic development in recent years. China-Sierra Leone relations is long standing and well established. The two sides supported each other in their struggles for national liberation and independence, in pursuing economic development and national rejuvenation, and in fighting against the Ebola and COVID-19. China-Sierra Leone relations has scored historical achievements and created an excellent model for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation. Ambassador Wang Qing expressed his confidence that new progress in the China-Sierra Leone Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership will be achieved through further implementing the important consensuses reached by the Heads of State President Xi Jinping and President Julius Maada Bio, strengthening high level exchanges, synergizing development strategies and deepening practical cooperation. Ambassador Wang Qing also spoke highly of the contributions by the Chinese Community in Sierra Leone for developing the bilateral relations and encouraged them to step up their efforts.
Honorable Minister Prof. David Francis, on behalf of the Sierra Leonean government, extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Wang Qing. Minister Francis expressed his gratitude towards the Chinese Government for the long-standing and generous assistance towards the socioeconomic development of Sierra Leone, reiterated that Sierra Leone will firmly adhere to the One-China policy and support China's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, security and developmental interests. Sierra Leone will support and actively participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative and welcome China’s position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis. Sierra Leone is ready to work with China to enhance the bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation in multilateral affairs in order to contribute to the lasting peace and common development in the world.
The Reception of the Assumption of Office proceeded in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Guests at the reception expressed their sincere congratulations and warmly welcome to Ambassador Wang Qing on his new post, wishing that China-Sierra Leone relations will continue to make great progress in the future.