Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Yang Jiechi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, shakes hands with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio during their meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Sept. 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)
FREETOWN, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Yang Jiechi and Sierra Leone's president Julius Maada Bio met here on Friday, pledging to enhance bilateral cooperation.
Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, extended greetings to Bio on behalf of Xi.
He said China and Sierra Leone are true friends and good partners who support and share weal and woe with each other, and the successful meeting between President Xi and President Bio last year set out the direction for the development of bilateral relations.
"The Chinese side would like to exchange ideas on governance experience, and enhance mutual understanding, friendship and trust," said Yang.
The envoy said China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework, effectively align China-Africa cooperation initiatives with Sierra Leone's development strategy, and firmly promote cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, fisheries, medical and health care, education, training and other fields, so as to bring more tangible benefits to the people of the two countries.
China is also willing to strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone on international and regional issues, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations (UN) as its core, and safeguard the international order based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
On his part, Bio asked Yang to convey cordial greetings to President Xi, and warmly congratulated China on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Bio said that he appreciated the achievements made by China in economic and social development, and expressed heartfelt thanks to China for its constant support for Sierra Leone.
Bio said that Sierra Leone supports the Belt and Road Initiative and building a community of shared future for mankind, both proposed by Xi.
Bio added that Sierra Leone is willing to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, and promote bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and China within the framework of the FOCAC.
Yang also met with Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nabeela Tunis on Friday.
