Youth development took the spotlight in Freetown as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, received a courtesy visit from the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Zhao Yong. The meeting highlighted the strong relationship between Sierra Leone and China, with both sides emphasizing the central role young people play in national development.

The visit marked Ambassador Zhao’s first official engagement with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and served as an opportunity to discuss shared priorities around youth empowerment, skills development, and long-term economic growth. The discussions reflected the long-standing friendship between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China.

Minister Sannoh underscored Sierra Leone’s youthful population, noting that more than 70 percent of the country’s over eight million citizens are under the age of 35. He described this demographic reality as both a challenge and a major opportunity that requires deliberate investment and strong partnerships.

“Our young people are our greatest strength,” the Minister said, stressing the government’s commitment to turning youth potential into meaningful social and economic progress through targeted policies and collaborations.

Ambassador Zhao praised Sierra Leone’s peace and stability, describing the country’s youth population as a powerful driver of sustainable development. He explained that youth empowerment remains a key pillar of China’s own development approach and an important area for cooperation.

“China is ready to deepen its partnership with Sierra Leone by supporting programs that build skills, encourage innovation, and promote inclusive growth, especially initiatives that directly impact young people,” the Ambassador stated.

He reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through capacity building, youth-centered initiatives, and people-to-people exchanges aimed at delivering long-term benefits.

The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with both sides expressing confidence that closer cooperation between China and Sierra Leone, particularly in the youth sector, will contribute significantly to national development and shared prosperity.