Dear friends from media and Sierra Leone-China friendship organizations,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning!
I’m happy to see you again at this information salon. Hope everything goes well. As you may aware, last week the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was successfully concluded and a new central leadership body was elected on October 23. This is an important congress held at a critical moment when China, the world’s most populous and largest developing country, is embarking on a new journey to build a comprehensive socialist modern country, and will also have a positive impact on the world against the background of the current international situation full of instability and uncertainty and the serious challenges to global peace and development. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce some highlights and the significance about the Congress.
First, the congress summarized China’s past achievements.
In the past decade, China has experienced three major events: first, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, second, socialism with Chinese characteristics entering a new era, and third, the completion of the historical task of eradicating poverty, and achieving its first centenary goal — building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. With the implementation of the new development concept, nearly 100 million rural poor people have been lifted out of poverty. China’s economy now accounts for 18.5% of the world economy, ranking second in the world. The scale of manufacturing industry and foreign exchange reserves rank first in the world. The “Belt and Road Initiative” has become a popular international public product and platform for international cooperation. China has become a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, ranking first in total trade in goods, attracting the highest foreign investment and outward investment in the world. China’s development has made a positive contribution to world peace and development.
Second, the congress clarified China’s future tasks.
China will adhere to the leadership of the CPC, promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese modernization in a comprehensive manner, build a strong socialist modern country and achieve the second centenary goal–to build the country into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful in the middle of this century. The Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development. It creates a new form of human civilization, expands the way for developing countries to modernize, and provides a brand-new choice for other countries that wish to accelerate development while maintaining their independence.
Third, the congress pointed out the way forward.
China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism. China stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism and power politics, the Cold War mentality, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and double standards. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace. It has always decided its position and policy on issues based on their own merits, and it has strived to uphold the basic norms governing international relations and safeguard international fairness and justice. China will adhere to the policy of opening up, firmly pursue an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win situation, and continuously provide new opportunities for the world. China has put forward Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, calling for the promotion of the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind, and is willing to join hands with all countries in the world to create a better future for mankind.
Fourth, the congress has injected confidence and momentum into the world.
The fact that President Xi Jinping continues to serve as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee reflects the collective will of the world’s largest ruling party with more than 96 million members and 1.4 billion Chinese people, and provides a solid guarantee for the huge ship of China to cut through the waves and make steady progress. As the largest developing country, the continuity, stability and sustainability of China’s domestic and foreign policies are a boon to the world. A responsible, honest, caring and responsible China will surely inject strong stability and positive energy into the chaotic world.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
China is the largest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. The 20th CPC National Congress also give an opportunity for China and Africa to further strengthen cooperation and solidarity.
In the past decades, Chinese leaders have kept close contacts with their African counterparts. Now, the Chinese government has vigorously promoted the implementation of the outcomes of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which brought about new and tangible benefits for the two sides.
Meanwhile, we can see that China-Sierra Leone friendship is also shining and promising. In July this year, H.E. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister Honorable David Francis, exchanged ideas in depth on the implementation of the important consensus reached by H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, and injected new energy into the further deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Sierra Leone.
This year, China-Sierra Leone cooperation in all areas such as education, human resources development, mining, agriculture, infrastructure construction, fight against COVID-19 pandemic, health and sanitation, peace and security has yielded laudable results. New batches of testing kits and COVID-19 vaccines donated by China have been delivered to Sierra Leone. China- aid mobile clinics have been put into use and benefiting tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans across the country. The reconstructed Wilberforce barracks has been commissioned. The rice aid, agricultural machinery, water bowsers, fire engines, engineering equipments and traffic boat donated by China have been transported to Sierra Leone.
Under the Chinese government assistance programs, the construction of the Foreign Service Academy is to be completed soon and the overhaul of the National Stadium is making smooth progress. Many more community development projects have been carried out for the well-being of the Sierra Leonean people.
This year, Sierra Leone, as always, has stood firm in adhering to the one-China principle and supporting China’s legitimate efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. In the international arena, Sierra Leone has been working closely with China on issues of common interests. It is of no doubt that China and Sierra Leone are reliable friends to each other.
I firmly believe that, under the great leadership of CPC, China and Sierra Leone will continue to treat each other with sincerity and mutual trust, work hand in hand for common development, and support each other in good faith.
To conclude, I assure you that China will continue to work with Africa, Sierra Leone in particular, to grasp the opportunity offered by the 20th CPC National Congress and build an even stronger China-Africa Community of Shared Future.
Long live China-Sierra Leone friendship. Thank you!
