Confucius Institute turns five

Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh addressing the event

Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Victor Bockarie Foh with Ambassador Wu Peng cut the birthday cake

Chinese and Sierra Leonean Dignitaries, staff and other invited guests

The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wu Peng was joined by the country’s Vice President, Victor Bockarie Foh and other distinguished Guests, including the Administration, Staff and Students of the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone in celebrating the Institute’s 5th anniversary in Sierra Leone and also the 1st anniversary since ‘Friends of Confucius Institute’ was founded.

Speaking at the event at the Tai Chi Garden at Kortright, Fourah Bay College on Tuesday 5th December 2017, Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh said, the occasion was born out of the continued relationship between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Sierra Leone which started in 1971.

Since 1971, the Vice President said, both countries have not only strengthened their ties at the diplomatic and people to people levels, but have also seized themselves of every opportunity to improve on, and scale up their relations to mutually beneficial levels.

The People’s Republic of China, the Vice President said, has been Sierra Leone’s friends in need and friends indeed.

China’s contribution to the development of Sierra Leone in all spheres of governance, he said, has been immeasurable, for which, Sierra Leone remains proud, having China as a friend.

He highlighted their contributions to Sierra Leone’s development in areas of infrastructure like in roads, buildings, and recreational facilities and commerce, highlighting their contribution to the development of Sierra Leone’s human resources in disciplines like medicine, engineering, technology, and agriculture through scholarships to deserving Sierra Leoneans.

Vice President Foh also spoke of the cultural exchange programmes, as well as humanitarian support Sierra Leone continues to get from the People's Republic of China.

He applauded the progress made by the Confucius Institute since its establishment at the University of Sierra Leone, saying, the government of President Ernest Bai Koroma has followed the Institute with keen interest and was satisfied with what they have achieved so far in the country.

Vice President Foh appealed to the Chinese Government, through its Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Wu Peng for the construction of a Confucius Institute building within the University of Sierra Leone. This, he said, will ensure that the Institute becomes part of the permanent teaching environment of the University.

Reflecting on his visit to Gannan Normal University in Ganzhou City when he was Sierra Leone's Ambassador to China, the Vice President recounted the beautiful and attractive campus which serves as the home of Confucius Teachings.

He expressed optimism that with the commitment from both sides, the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Confucius Institute in Sierra Leone will be celebrated in a new Confucius Institute building within the University of Sierra Leone.

The programme was climaxed by the cutting of cake by the Hon. Vice President, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Wu Peng, and Director of Confucius Institute, Prof. He Mingqing.