China-Sierra Leone ties take centre stage at 77th National Day reception

The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone hosted a National Day Reception in Freetown on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and 55 years of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone.

The event, held at the Chinese Embassy on Spur Loop, brought together government officials, Members of Parliament, diplomats, representatives of Chinese enterprises and institutions, members of the Chinese community and other guests.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yong used his address to outline China’s economic development and its cooperation with African countries, while also reviewing the progress of relations with Sierra Leone. Jeneba J. Bangura, identified in the account as Acting Minister and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, congratulated China and discussed Sierra Leone’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation.

Trade and economic cooperation

Ambassador Zhao said China had become the world’s second-largest economy, with improvements in its national strength and the living standards of its people. He cited figures showing that China’s gross domestic product reached US$10.25 trillion in the first half of 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 4.7 per cent.

According to Zhao, China’s foreign trade during the same period stood at US$3.75 trillion, an increase of 16.9 per cent. He also pointed to a 45.8 per cent rise in exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells, and said China accounted for 60 per cent of global artificial intelligence patents.

Zhao further said China had signed Belt and Road Initiative cooperation documents with more than 150 countries. He also said that, from 1 May 2026, China had fully implemented zero tariffs on imports from 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

On bilateral commerce, Zhao reported that trade between China and Sierra Leone reached approximately US$1.466 billion in the first half of 2026, about 38 per cent higher than in the same period of the previous year. He described China as Sierra Leone’s largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment for more than a decade.

Health, education and development links

Zhao said cooperation between the two countries had produced results in politics, trade and investment, health, education and culture. He reported that Chinese medical teams had delivered more than one million medical services to Sierra Leoneans over five decades.

He also said 130 Sierra Leonean students received Chinese Government scholarships in 2026, while more than 530 Sierra Leoneans travelled to China for short-term training.

Bangura said China’s economic transformation held lessons for developing countries through its achievements in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, agriculture, renewable energy and human capital development. She recalled that Sierra Leone and China established diplomatic relations on 29 July 1971.

Bangura highlighted Chinese-supported contributions to Sierra Leone’s infrastructure, agriculture, health and education sectors, including the National Stadium, the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Road and agricultural technical cooperation. She also pointed to cooperation between the two countries at the United Nations during Sierra Leone’s 2024 to 2025 tenure on the United Nations Security Council.

Calls for broader investment

Sierra Leone expressed interest in continued cooperation with China in agriculture, food security, infrastructure, trade and investment. Bangura called for greater Chinese investment beyond extractive industries, particularly in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, renewable energy technology and tourism.

She said the next phase of cooperation should expand economic opportunities, deepen investment, strengthen trade, increase educational exchanges, advance technological cooperation and promote closer people-to-people relations. Sierra Leone also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China and translating political understanding into practical outcomes.

Zhao said China was ready to work with Sierra Leone to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, take advantage of the zero-tariff policy and further strengthen the bilateral partnership.

The reception concluded with Zhao proposing a toast.