…Says Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister
August 11, 2015 By Victoria Saffa
Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi has said in Freetown that the Chinese government would work with their Sierra Leonean counterparts to build capacity that will enhance massive development in the country.
He was speaking last Saturday, 8 August at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, while on a short visit to the country.
According to Mr. Wang, Sierra Leone has a lot of potentials and only needed strong partnership to develop, adding that China was already working with the government to build capacity that will enhance massive development.
He said his visit to Sierra Leone was to get firsthand information of what his government and the international community have been doing in the Ebola ravaged country, and to get a grasp of help the government needed for her post-Ebola recovery plan.
“Our government will be in the forefront in the post-Ebola recovery. During the outbreak of the Ebola, we were the first to send in supplies and personnel through chartered flights and we were active all over the country to date,” he stated.
The Chinese Foreign Minister stated that the Ebola outbreak had been a concern to his country, adding that Beijing has already started the rebuilding process, which they are taking very seriously.
“We are sending a clear message that China will stand by your side in times of trouble and in times of peace. I am here to help the country in the rebuilding process,” he assured.
He maintained China would send more medical personnel to help in treating other illnesses, stating that the Jui hospital is already working as a general hospital, with the outpatient already operational.
Mr. Wang said his country would also help in the mining sector and that they would ensure the Shandong Iron and Steel Company will continue to operate and expand its activities in the country, and employ more people and pay sufficient tax to the government.
“We will encourage other Chinese companies to come and establish businesses in mining and other areas like the textile industry so they can create jobs and commodities for the Sierra Leone market,” he said.
He also promised the country support to improve agriculture and fisheries sector, infrastructure, construct a new airport, and to build human resource, including increasing the number of scholarship and training opportunities for Sierra Leoneans in China.
Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Samura Kamara, noted that all the promises by Mr. Wang would take Sierra Leone to another level, adding that President Ernest Bai Koroma would visit China to say thanks to the people and government of China.