Wang Yi Meets with Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister David Francis

On November 28, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister David Francis, who is to attend the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Dakar.

Wang Yi said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone. The successful conversation between the two heads of state has pointed out the direction for the development of China-Sierra Leone relations. China cherishes its half-century-long friendly relations with Sierra Leone, and is willing to work with Sierra Leone to strengthen mutual support, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Wang Yi said that in the face of the pandemic, the two peoples are standing together to overcome the difficulties. China, overcoming the difficulties, was the first to deliver anti-pandemic supplies and COVID-19 vaccines to Sierra Leone. Three Chinese medical expert teams joined the front line of fighting against the pandemic in Sierra Leone, and Chinese agricultural and fishery experts also made their trip to the country. China will continue to provide vaccines and medical supplies to Sierra Leone, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and help the country's fight against the pandemic and economic recovery and development.

Wang Yi said that China and Sierra Leone have a high degree of consensus on major international issues. We all advocate win-win cooperation over zero-sum games, fairness and justice over bullying and overbearing, and respect for diversity over egotism. China supports Sierra Leone in playing a greater role in international affairs, and is willing to strengthen unity with Sierra Leone, continue to support each other, and safeguard the common interests and development space of developing countries.

Francis said that China is a good friend of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is very proud of its traditional friendship with China and is willing to work with China to implement the new consensus reached by the two heads of state. Sierra Leone appreciates the Chinese government's global leadership in the fight against the pandemic, and thanks China for its support and assistance for the country's economic development and the fight against the pandemic, vaccination in particular. Sierra Leone is willing to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as infrastructure and agriculture with China, and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the country. Sierra Leone firmly supports the principle of non-interference in other country's internal affairs, supports China's just position, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in multilateral affairs.

The two sides exchanged views on the upcoming Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the FOCAC and agreed to work together for the complete success of the meeting.