By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Chins to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Wang Qing, paid a courtesy visit to the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone in commemoration of the 41st Chinese Teachers’ Day. The visit provided an opportunity for the ambassador to interact with teachers, inspect the Institute’s facilities, and extend warm festive greetings to the staff.
During the engagement, H E Ambassador Wang joined teachers of the Institute in studying President Xi Jinping’s reply letter to representatives of national special-post teachers in China. He praised the Chinese teachers in Sierra Leone for their outstanding service, noting their resilience and dedication over the years. According to H E Ambassador Wang, the teachers have not only remained committed to their calling but have also overcome various challenges while staying true to their mission of promoting education and cultural understanding.
The Ambassador acknowledged the unique sacrifices of the teachers, particularly their decision to root themselves overseas and serve at the grassroots level. He emphasized that their work has contributed greatly to strengthening people-to-people ties, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting cultural exchanges between the People’s Republic of China and Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Wang further encouraged the Confucius Institute to remain committed to its core values while embracing new ideas. With the 2026 China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchanges approaching, he urged the Institute to seize the opportunity to expand Chinese language education and organize more cultural exchange programs. He noted that such initiatives would help cultivate a new generation of Chinese language professionals in Sierra Leone who could serve as envoys of friendship and bridges between the two nations.
“The Confucius Institute is not only about language teaching but also about building cultural understanding and lasting friendship,” Ambassador Wang said. He expressed confidence that the Institute would continue to play a vital role in deepening cooperation and strengthening the cultural bond between China and Sierra Leone.
Speaking during the event, Wu Cui, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Chinese Embassy and the University of Sierra Leone. She highlighted the achievements of the Institute in teaching Chinese language and culture, noting that it has become a platform for mutual learning and exchange.
Teacher representatives also shared their personal experiences of living and working in Sierra Leone. They described their journey as both rewarding and challenging, emphasizing their commitment to continue promoting Chinese language teaching and cultural exchange. According to them, the warmth and hospitality of Sierra Leoneans have inspired them to dedicate even more effort to their mission of fostering friendship and understanding between the two countries.
The visit was seen as a reaffirmation of China’s commitment to education and cultural cooperation with Sierra Leone. It also highlighted the role of the Confucius Institute as a bridge for closer collaboration, providing Sierra Leonean students with the opportunity to learn the Chinese language and experience Chinese culture firsthand.
As both nations continue to strengthen bilateral relations, cultural and educational exchanges remain a vital pillar of cooperation. The teachers at the Confucius Institute have been at the forefront of this partnership, and Ambassador Wang’s visit underscored their importance as ambassadors of cultural diplomacy.
