Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio (2nd R, front) and Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Wang Qing (2nd L, front) attend the handover ceremony of a China-aided foreign service academy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Jan. 5, 2023. A China-aided foreign service academy was handed over to the Sierra Leonean government here on Thursday to serve as a professional training and educational institute of Sierra Leone's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. (Photo by Kan Yadong/Xinhua)
FREETOWN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A China-aided foreign service academy was handed over to the Sierra Leonean government here on Thursday to serve as a professional training and educational institute of Sierra Leone's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The project was undertaken by the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG).
Addressing the handover ceremony, Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio thanked the Chinese government for supporting the country's socioeconomic development and described the academy as a testament to mutual cooperation.
The academy "will help solidify our effort in building Sierra Leone's good image across the world and it trains people to become professional diplomats. It will enable diplomats to represent us well and they must ensure that they are well-trained and competitive," the president said, calling the academy part of the government's human capital development achievement.
Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister David Francis thanked the CRSG for completing the project on time and said he was impressed by the work quality. "It is a majestic magnificent academy that will be put to good use."
Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Wang Qing voiced hope that the academy will become Sierra Leone's cradle of diplomats.
"While Sierra Leone is making progress under the New Direction Agenda, China's new journey will create more opportunities for our bilateral cooperation including market access and investment. We can be sure that China-Sierra Leone relations will have a more shining and promising future," the ambassador said. ■
This aerial photo shows a China-aided foreign service academy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Dec. 31, 2022. A China-aided foreign service academy was handed over to the Sierra Leonean government here on Thursday to serve as a professional training and educational institute of Sierra Leone's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. (Photo by Kan Yadong/Xinhua)
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio addresses the handover ceremony of a China-aided foreign service academy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Jan. 5, 2023. A China-aided foreign service academy was handed over to the Sierra Leonean government here on Thursday to serve as a professional training and educational institute of Sierra Leone's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. (Photo by Kan Yadong/Xinhua)
