On 30th October, the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone hosted the 8th “Voice of Salone” Chinese Song Contest. Mr. Zhang Dianbin, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, attended the event and delivered remarks. Professor Aiah Lebbie, Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Ms. Wu Cui, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone, and Professor Harding, Local Director of the Institute, were present. More than 200 representatives from Chinese institutions and enterprises in Sierra Leone, as well as teachers and students from various teaching sites of the Confucius Institute, took part in the activity.

In his address, Chargé d’Affaires Zhang noted that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone, as well as the Year of China‑Africa People‑to‑People and Cultural Exchanges. Integrating Chinese‑language learning with musical art, the “Voice of Salone” brings the Chinese language out of textbooks and onto the stage, creating a vibrant platform for youth exchanges between the two countries. He encouraged contestants to take this competition as a new starting point, keep deepening their Chinese‑language studies, gain first‑hand understanding of real‑world China, and strive to become participants, promoters and witnesses of China‑Sierra Leone friendly interactions.

The contest featured brilliant performances with contestants giving full play to their talents. Li Lei claimed the first prize with the Chinese song Sailor.