China is willing to work with Sierra Leone to implement the initiatives of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and further boost cooperation in fighting COVID-19, agriculture, fisheries, education, infrastructure and other areas, said visiting senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi on Monday.

Yang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio in Freetown.

China is willing to work together with the West African nation to further deepen the coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral institutions, safeguard the common interests of China, Africa and other developing countries, and defend multilateralism and norms of international relations, he said.

Bio said China has made significant contributions to the peace and development of the world and set an example for developing countries. 

The president stated that Sierra Leone firmly upholds the one-China principle and supports the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Yang also met Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation David J. Francis on Monday. 

(With input from Xinhua)