His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone 

Vice President Juldeh Jalloh sharing a toast with the Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Hu Zhangliang at a reception held in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital

Chinese and Sierra Leone Government Officials cutting the birthday cake to commemorate China’s 70th Anniversary

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Hu Zhangliang has spoken about significant achievements made as the country celebrates its 70th Anniversary on Oct.1, 2019. The Chinese Government and people held a groundbreaking event on Tuesday to celebrate the successes achieved over the years.

It could be recalled on October 1, 1949, after a long and arduous struggle, the Chinese people, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, founded the People's Republic of China. “China's marvelous success would not have been possible without the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the determined struggle of the Chinese people, and the deep commitment to the mutually beneficial and win-win strategy of opening-up,” the Chinese Ambassador said, noting that over the past 70 years, the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have united as one, forged ahead and made great strides that brought earthshaking changes to China.

70 years ago, Ambassador Hu said China was one of the poorest and most backward countries in the world that could not even produce simples things such as matches. In 1949, China recorded a total reserve of $30 billion and with an average life expectancy of 35 years. “Today, China has grown into the world's second-largest economy, the largest industrial country, the largest trader of goods and the biggest holder of foreign exchange reserves,” he said and added that China's GDP in 2018 totaled 13.6 trillion U.S. dollars, and its average contribution rate to global economic growth has been close to 30%, and people's average life expectancy has been increased to 77 years.

The Chinese Ambassador revealed that his country now has over 200 industrialized products and has lifted over 850 million people out of poverty. By 2020, all the rural poor population will be relieved of poverty according to the current standards. Today, China has the world's largest middle-income population of more than 400 million. In terms of social security, more than 900 million people are covered by the basic pension insurance system, and 1.3 billion people are now covered by the basic health insurance system, and China has also put in place a nine-year free and compulsory education system.

“China has constantly improved democracy, the rule of law, state governance, and social management. China has successfully established the development path, theory, system, and culture of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics suited to China's conditions,” he revealed and further explained that China has made remarkable achievements in human-crewed space flight, lunar exploration, quantum science, deep-sea exploration, supercomputing, and satellite navigation. “Greater efforts have been made by the Communist Party of China to make China become a greater nation championed by the Chinese people, a modern prosperous society, a harmonious and democratic country,” says Ambassador Hu, noting that much of China’s achievement is driven by hard work and sacrifice by its people. The people, he said, see themselves as true owners of China, which is why they have worked hard to build their nation. “Hard work, courage, and sacrifice have been a watchword of the Chinese people. We believe that our nation can only develop through hard work,” he said. “By the middle of this century, China will be developed into a great modern country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.”

He continued that China has gained a lot from other countries in the world as part of the fruitful cooperation it has built over the years with other countries. “We have also made a greater contribution to the world’s development.”

On China-Africa cooperation, the Chinese Ambassador revealed that both people have formed a community of shared future as much support has been provided over the years by China to African countries in the capacity of investments and more for airports, railways, schools, hospitals, roads, stadiums, etc.

Speaking on the China-Sierra Leone friendship, Ambassador Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 48 years ago, China and Sierra Leone have come a long way in conducting fruitful cooperation in all areas. He said that the Chinese Government and People recognize Sierra Leone as one of the countries that supported the restoration of the legitimate seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations and has always adhered to the one-China principle, to which China is profoundly grateful.

Last year, H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Julius Maada Bio reached a critical consensus regarding how to deepen the friendship as well as cooperation between the two countries. China- Sierra Leone relations have certainly entered a new stage of sound and fast development.