The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, initiated a state visit to China commencing on February 27 and extending until March 2. The visit is marked by scheduled meetings with Chinese leaders aimed at advancing cooperation across various domains and nurturing the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
Analysts posit that President Bio’s visit, representing the first by an African country’s head of state in 2024, may serve as part of broader efforts to enhance China-Africa cooperation. Discussions between Chinese and Sierra Leonean leaders are anticipated to include exchanges on the upcoming ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) gathering slated for the second half of 2024 in Beijing.
President Bio arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, where he was welcomed at the airport by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning disclosed that President Xi Jinping is set to hold a welcome ceremony and banquet for President Bio, with the two leaders engaging in talks. Mao emphasized the traditional friendship between China and Sierra Leone, citing over half a century of diplomatic ties marked by mutual support on core interests, effective collaboration in economic and social development, and close coordination on international affairs.
The spokesperson highlighted the deep bond forged between the two nations during joint efforts against the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. It is anticipated that President Bio’s visit will inject new momentum into the comprehensive development of China-Sierra Leone relations and yield further achievements in their cooperative endeavors.
This visit marks President Bio as the final foreign head of state to visit China before the annual two sessions in 2024, underscoring the profound friendship and political mutual trust between China and Africa. He Wenping, a director with the Institute of West Asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized the significance of inviting President Bio ahead of a special event.
Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, expressed gratitude for the countries’ friendship, citing it as “one of Sierra Leone’s most important relationships” that has delivered tangible results in various areas. Bah commended China’s support in constructing roads, bridges, and major buildings, and praised initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
In recent years, China has provided support to Sierra Leone in infrastructure, fishing cooperation, education, public health, and trade. Sierra Leone’s largest trading partner, China, has increased collaboration in the mining and steel industries. Experts anticipate further strengthening of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC, encompassing areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, education, and emerging fields like digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, 5G networks, and new-energy vehicles.
Professor Song Wei from Beijing Foreign Studies University highlighted the FOCAC as a vital platform for joint development plans between China and African countries. Leaders are expected to discuss FOCAC issues and practical cooperation during President Bio’s visit.