12th August, 2022
Dear Amb. Victoria Sulimani, Director General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,
Dear Media Friends and friends from friendly organizations,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning!
First of all, on behalf of the Embassy, permit me express again our deepest sympathy to all the bereaved families. As we already stressed yestarday the Embassy condamns and opposes any form of violence that may disrupt the law and order of the society, and urges that peace and normalcy would return as soon as possible.
It’s my honor to have Amb. Victoria Sulimani , Director Generale of the Foreign Ministry here toghether with us. It’s my great pleasure to meet you all at the Embassy. It’s a good opportunity to refresh our friendship and exchange views on issues of common interest. I would like to thank all of you for your continued efforts in promoting China-Sierra Leone friendship and thank you for supporting today’s event.
As we know, this 29th July has marked the 51th Anniversary of the establishment of China-Sierra Leone diplomatic relations. The past 51 years have witnessed the long lasting friendship between China and Sierra Leone in the process of supporting each other and safeguarding international justice and fairness, have witnessed the notable results of cooperation between China and Sierra Leone, including the Buildings, the Stadiums, the Hospitals, the Schools, the Bridges and Roads, and have witnessed the expansion of our trade and economic cooperation. The relationship formed between China and Sierra Leone is a microcosm of the relationship at large between China and Africa as a whole.
To commemorate the special moment in the relationship between our two countries, On the 19th July, the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister Professor David Francis. Both sides agreed to continuously strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields. We appreciated very much Hon. Minister Professor David Francis who confirmed again that China is a reliable and strong partner for Sierra Leone.
We are pleased to see new progress in China-Sierra Leone cooperation. A large number of construction machinery and a modern naval patrol ship have arrived in Freetown. A new batch of Covid-19 vaccines was handed over just 3 days ago. A batch of brand new agriculture instruments donated by China have been delivered to the warehouse of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Construction of Foreign Affairs Academy is nearly completed. The 4 mobile clinics buses have departed to provide service in the provinces. You can be sure that China will continue to uphold the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests in its cooperation with Sierra Leone.
China and Sierra Leone are two real friendly countries through thick and thin, they always stand with each other on issues related to their core interests and major concerns. The mutual political trust provide a solid foundation for our cooperation.
Recently, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited China’s Taiwan region with deaf ears of China’s firm opposition and strong position, sending a very wrong signal to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. As our Sierra Leonean friends know, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The one-China principle has become the consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations. We are grateful for Sierra Leone that in October 1971, during the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sierra Leone made a decisive vote in favor of the Resolution N.2758, which restored all rights to the People’s Republic of China and recognized the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations. To date, 181 countries around the world, including the US, have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle.We are grateful also that since then Sierra Leone’s government always persists on One-China principle and in many international forums has given us strong supports.
To better understand our position, the day before yesterday, China published a white paper titled “The Taiwan Question and China’s Reunification in the New Era”. The white paper reiterates the fact that Taiwan is part of China, demonstrates the resolve of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people and their commitment to national reunification, and to emphasize the position and policies of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era.
The Goverment and the Party of China are committed to the historic mission of resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China’s complete reunification. The white paper underlined that relying on external forces will achieve nothing for Taiwan’s separatists, and using Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail. The wheel of history rolls on towards national reunification, and it will not be stopped by any individual or any force.
China is a responsible major country in the world. Due to Speaker Pelosi’s visit, China has to suspend the talks with the U.S. on climate change. The U.S. side said that by doing this, China is punishing the whole world, especially developing countries. But the U.S. cannot represent the whole world. China always takes the promises it makes very seriously, and does everything possible to honor them. We will stay committed to meet our goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, take an active part in international cooperation on climate change, provide support and help for other developing countries as best as we can, and make our due contribution to global response to climate change. It is hoped that the U.S. should earnestly fulfill its historical responsibility and obligation on climate change.
Peaceful cross-Straits reunification is of benefit not only to the Chinese nation, but to all peoples and the international community as a whole.China and Sierra Leone are time-honored friends. China highly appreciates the Sierra Leonean government’s long-time support for the one-China principle. The Embassy thanks all sectors of the Sierra Leonean society for their understanding of China’s position.
In conclusion, I wish all of you enjoy today’s event. The Embassy’s door is always open for our friends. Let’ s work together to promote more trust and understanding between our countries, work together to promote more friendship and mutual helps between our people. Thank you!
