President Xi Jinping hosted President Bio and his wife, Fatima Bio, along with other Heads of State

China’s President Xi Jinping has commended the leadership of Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation between China and Sierra Leone. 

This show of support came during a bilateral meeting held on the eve of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In the meeting, President Xi Jinping expressed his admiration for President Bio’s contributions to global peace and security, particularly highlighting his recent success as President of the United Nations Security Council. Xi praised Bio’s leadership of the African Union’s C-10 group and voiced China’s continued support for Africa's push for reforms in the UN Security Council.

On a bilateral level, President Xi pledged to deepen China’s partnership with Sierra Leone, focusing on key areas such as agriculture, fisheries, mining, infrastructure development, resource lending, and security. 

These sectors, according to President Xi, offer numerous opportunities for collaboration and economic growth. He also announced an increase in Chinese development assistance to Sierra Leone, signaling China’s commitment to supporting the West African nation’s progress.

In response, President Bio expressed his deep gratitude for China’s ongoing assistance and noted significant improvements in relations between the two countries. 

He acknowledged the importance of the International Fish Export Certification received by Sierra Leone, which he said would strengthen trade ties between the two nations. 

President Bio also emphasized the need to address security challenges in the Sahel region, noting their potential impact on regional stability.

President Bio reassured President Xi Jinping that Sierra Leone remains a reliable partner to China. He emphasized the mutual benefits of their partnership and expressed his commitment to continuing their strong relationship.

Later in the day, President Xi Jinping hosted President Bio, First Lady Fatima Bio, and other African heads of state at a formal banquet ahead of the official opening ceremony of the FOCAC summit. 

The banquet served as a warm reception and a demonstration of China’s willingness to work closely with African nations in addressing their shared challenges and goals.