Sierra Leonean president hails win-win relationship with China

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03:41

Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio said his country would like to learn from China's experience of development, take part in the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, and enhance bilateral cooperation with China during an interview with CGTN, ahead of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Talking about the rising protectionism and unilateralism in the world today, the president said that protectionism and unilateralism have no place in the world where globalization is definitely taking a course that is irreversible.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio before their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 30, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

"There are so many benefits for globalization. So for us, we want to be part of the world community. We know we cannot do it alone, and China believes in that same ideology that we cannot do it alone. Therefore we are here to show that we can only succeed if we work together," he added.

He also noted that China is a global power and has a leading role to play.

"We are here to tell the world that we are a united nation. We want to be part of the world, and we want to act for benefit of a common destiny, a shared future, "he said.

As for the China-Africa community with a shared future, "we want to act for the benefit of a common destiny, a shared future, in which everybody will enjoy the benefit of economic development," he added.

National flags of China and Sierra Leone on the Tiananmen Square, Beijing, August 30, 2018. /VCG Photo

This year marks the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone.

Bio thanked China for its help during Ebola outbreak in Western Africa, "We did not only get financial support, we also had material support and personnel, technical personnel who worked in Sierra Leone at that time," he said.

China and Sierra Leone have cooperated in the area of education, infrastructure, health, trade and now technology and innovation cooperation are on the way, Bio said.

Bio is on his first state visit to China, after assuming office earlier in April.