On May 19, 2026, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the Parliament of Sierra Leone jointly held an launching ceremony for the Sierra Leone-China Parliamentary Friendship Group. Ambassador Zhao Yong and Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas attended and delivered speeches. Approximately 20 members of the Group, including Parliamentary Majority Leader Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma and Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Bashiru Silikie, participated.

Ambassador Zhao warmly congratulated the establishment of the Group, appreciating the long-standing adherence of the Parliament of Sierra Leone to the one-China principle. He expressed his expectation that the Group would play a constructive role in promoting exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries, enhancing friendship between the two peoples, and advancing the comprehensive development of China-Sierra Leone relations.

Speaker Thomas highly praised the friendly relations between Sierra Leone and China, reiterating that the Parliament of Sierra Leone will continue to adhere to the one-China principle. He expressed his willingness to take the establishment of the Group as an opportunity to further expand the cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.