Sierra Leone officials complete China training, eye stronger bilateral cooperation

Twenty-six Sierra Leone government officials completed diplomatic training in China, capping two-week programmed focused on stronger skills, deeper bilateral ties and broader development cooperation.

The delegation, drawn from the ministries of foreign affairs, finance, local government and justice, attended the seminar from July 23 to Aug. 5 at Renmin University of China.

The programmed, themed “Global Development Initiative Practice and Regional Diplomatic Influence Enhancement for Sierra Leone,” examined China’s development model, governance methods and policy approaches, with emphasis on infrastructure, technology and digital transformation.

Through lectures, case studies, group discussions and field visits, participants reviewed development pathways that could support mutual prosperity and poverty reduction in both countries. Discussions also explored long-term cooperation and shared development goals.

Li Jing, vice dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University, told the opening ceremony the training had been designed to address the professional needs of Sierra Leonean diplomats.

David Sidikie Yambasu, head of delegation and senior technical adviser at Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, conveyed greetings from President Julius Maada Bio and the foreign minister. He said the exchange would help deepen ties between Sierra Leone and China.

On July 29, China’s Ministry of Commerce, through the China Aid programmed hosted by Renmin University, organized an event marking 55 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. Participants exchanged goodwill messages and gifts and joined in ceremonial cake cutting.

Delegates said the seminar also sparked debate on competing development models, including comparisons between Western-centered modernization and China’s people-centered approach.

Participants said the training reinforced the value of South-South cooperation and stronger China-Africa engagement as drivers of long-term strategic development across the Global South.

At the closing ceremony on Aug. 5 at the Confucius Academy in Guiyang, Li invited Sierra Leonean universities to explore academic partnerships, joint research and cultural exchanges with Chinese institutions. He also encouraged more Sierra Leoneans to study at Renmin University.

The seminar ended with an exchange of goodwill messages and gifts, formally closing the programmed.