Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio expressed hope for agricultural collaboration between his country and China's Hubei Province on Saturday after he visited the Institute of Food Crops of the Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where he learned about the research achievements in rice cultivation.

Hubei has close ties with Sierra Leone in multiple fields, such as trade, education and agriculture. In 1996, China signed a South-South cooperation agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Hubei is the backbone of its implementation. Since 2012, the province has sent nearly 100 batches of agricultural technicians to eight countries, including Sierra Leone, to help localities master food production and breeding techniques.

Bio, who was on a state visit to China from February 27 to March 2, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree on Saturday by the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). Expressing his gratitude, Bio said that this accolade is "not just a personal achievement, but a testimony of the enduring friendship between our two countries."

Speaking at the university, Bio said his visit to China is aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations and economic and trade partnership between the two countries, as well as promoting deeper exchanges between universities in both countries.

He also noted that since Sierra Leone joined the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018, the country has "benefited immensely from projects under this initiative."

Hubei and Sierra Leone share a longstanding friendship. Over the years, the province has sent agricultural technicians to Sierra Leone to share expertise in cultivation and breeding techniques. Moreover, the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) has provided training to over 20 high-level professionals from Sierra Leone in disciplines such as geological resources and engineering and environmental science and engineering, among others.

(With input from Xinhua)