Chinese Ambassador assures continued support to Sierra Leone Parliament

September 22, 2016

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yanbo has assured the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Sesay, that although his tenure is due to end soon, pipeline projects with the Sierra Leone Parliament remain on course.

The Hon. Clerk, accompanied by senior personnel, had paid a courtesy visit to Ambassador Yanbo to bid him farewell and express deep sentiments of gratitude for Chinese cooperation in the development strides of the Parliament. He extended greetings from the leadership of parliamentary.

Ambassador Yanbo, who said he was honoured by the visit, disclosed that his diplomatic tour in Sierra Leone ends after two years and nine months, during which time he has “become familiar with this beautiful country.” He expressed satisfaction with the strengthening of bilateral relations with Sierra Leone, noting that 2016 marks the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He recalled China’s prompt response to the Ebola health emergency and happily announced that under the leadership of President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the Chinese Government has embarked on a project for the establishment of a Centre for Disease Control (CDC) as a West African tropical diseases treatment centre.

The ambassador declared that as Sierra Leone has already embarked on her development journey, Sino-Sierra Leone relations would definitely enhance that process, adding that since parliament plays a very important role, every nation must put its parliament at the centre of her national agenda.

Hon. Sesay had earlier expressed his delight in working with the ambassador, noting important developments undertaken through Chinese assistance. These include construction of a new administrative block for parliamentary staff and lawmakers, rehabilitation of Members’ seats with installation of a PA system in the Chamber; a clinic with ambulance and logistics, and building staff capacity with training in China. He told the ambassador that parliament cherishes its relationship with China and wished him well in his next assignment.