President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency, Hu Jintao has spoken of his country’s commitment to always work with Sierra Leone in the area of expanding the cooperation ties existing between the two countries especially in the areas of building political trust and bringing the existing relations to higher heights. He made this statement on Wednesday 23rd May at the Great Hall of the People Republic of China, during a ceremony marking the presentation of credence by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China, His Excellency Abubakarr Multi-Kamara.

According to His Excellency President Hu Jintao, Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China have enjoyed traditional friendship since both countries entered into diplomatic relations over forty years ago and that “this relationship has been smooth”.  He said, both countries have seen results in the cooperation ties in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, trade, economy, and that areas like health and education have continued to thrive between the two countries.

Speaking further, President Hu Jintao stated, that both countries respect and treat each other as equals and that China appreciates Sierra Leone’s commitment to the ‘one-china’ policy “and we also appreciate your (Sierra Leone) support to our core interests”

According to  President Hu Jintao,  his country values the development of the existing relationship between the two countries and as such  China is  “ready to work with Sierra Leone to expand on the cooperation ties , build political trust and bring the relations to higher heights”, he said, among other things.

President Hu Jintao also extended his felicitations, through Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara to President Ernest Bai Koroma and wished the Ambassador success in his new assignment. He expressed optimism that Ambassador Multi-Kamara will make active contribution to the development of the relationship between the two countries. He assured, that the Ambassador “will receive our support” as a government.

Speaking earlier, His Excellency Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara conveyed heartfelt greetings and felicitations from His Excellency President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, his Government and the people of Sierra Leone to President Hu Jintao, his Government and the people of the Peoples Republic of China.  Ambassador Multi-Kamara said that his appointment as Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China is a deliberate action that was taken by President Ernest Bai Koroma especially in terms of restoring the dignity and confidence between the two countries and to strengthen ties and “seek ways of raising the bars of cooperation ties”

According to Ambassador Multi-Kamara, his experience in the People’s Republic of China, since his arrival over a month ago “has been a wonderful one”. Sierra Leone, Ambassador Multi-Kamara said, acknowledges the role that China is playing in its (Sierra Leone) development strides. He also stated that as a country, Sierra Leone reaffirms its support and commitment to the one-China policy and to always be with China both at the bilateral and multilateral levels. With his years of service and experience, as both a Government and International civil servant, Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara expressed his fervent desire to use his skills, expertise and exposure to strengthen existing ties between the two countries.