On January 16, H.E. Ambassador Zhao Yong, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone hosted a reception on the occasion of assumption of office. More than 130 guests attended, including His Lordship Chief Justice Kamanda, Minister of Energy and other cabinet ministers, Director General Logan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, senior military officers, friends from various sectors of Sierra Leone, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as representatives of Chinese enterprises and the Chinese community in Sierra Leone.

Ambassador Zhao stated that the friendship between China and Sierra Leone is long-standing. In recent years, high-level exchanges between the two countries have grown increasingly close, and practical cooperation has continued to deepen. China stands ready to work with Sierra Leone to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state as an opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a new level and contribute to building an all-weather China–Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

On behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, Director General Logan warmly welcomed Ambassador Zhao on his assumption of office. He noted that China is a trusted and reliable partner of Sierra Leone. The Sierra Leonean side attaches great importance to developing relations with China, remains firmly committed to the one-China principle, and is willing to work closely with China to achieve more tangible outcomes in mutually beneficial cooperation.

The reception was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere and received extensive coverage from several major Sierra Leonean media outlets throughout the event.