SLPPG President Hassan Koroma with Ambassador Wu Peng

Since Wu Peng, ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone took up office he has played a greater role in building a stronger relationship between the two countries, report says.

He has enabled some key sectors in both public and private sectors in Sierra Leone to enjoy stronger ties with China over the years and as a result, the West African country prides itself to be a reliable development partner to the Chinese.

The Parliament of Sierra Leone is one of arms of government that has good testimonies to tell about its relationship with the Chinese. During a visit of the Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery to the Chinese embassy in Freetown, the Chinese ambassador underscored the good relationship existing between the Parliament of Sierra Leone under the leadership of Hon. Dr Abass Chernor Bundu as Speaker. It could be recalled few weeks ago, the Parliament of Sierra Leone enacted visa exemption for Sierra Leonean and Chinese holders of diplomatic and service passports. Report states that the implementation of such agreement commences on Monday 24th December 2018. Both countries will enjoy visa exemptions lasting thirty days of stay. It seeks to facilitate people to people exchange, enhance positive development cooperation and provide greater opportunities for investors and business people from both sides.

Sierra Leone Parliamentary Press Gallery President presenting a certificate of appreciation to the Chinese ambassador to Sierra Leone

The Chinese have demonstrated greater commitment to support the Sierra Leone Parliament in enhancing its key roles, which are: enacting laws, representation and performing oversights. The Chinese embassy has therefore agreed to donate furniture and electronic devices, which are expected in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, in January 2019.

“This is a friendship gesture from the government and people of China,” Ambassador Wu Peng told journalists on Friday and further stated that his embassy has also sponsored a water supply project to the Sierra Leone Parliament. “Our relationship with the Parliament of Sierra Leone under President Maada Bio’s government will continue to be a binding one,” he assured.

The Chinese ambassador underscored the existing relationship between the two countries, which he said has come a long way, adding that both people and governments have supported each other in trying time. He thanked the Parliamentary Press Gallery for reporting on issues of development in Parliament and pledged his embassy’s support in terms of capacity building and equipment to ease the work of journalists.

Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery with the Chinese ambassador to Sierra Leone

President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, Hassan Y. Koroma thanked the Chinese government and people for their support to Sierra Leone, especially the media over the years. The Press Gallery, he said comprise of journalists from the print, electronic and new media covering events in the Sierra Leone Parliament. Koroma reiterated the importance of Chinese support to the Parliament, which he described as a laudable one and called for an extension of similar gesture to his organization.

The speaker thanked the Chinese ambassador, his government and people for building and maintaining a stronger relationship with Sierra Leone over the years.