The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sierra Leone has celebrated the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with senior officials from China and Sierra Leone reaffirming their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, expanding military training and deepening the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
The reception, held on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at the Chinese Embassy in Freetown, also commemorated the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone. The event brought together senior Government officials, military commanders, diplomats, development partners and members of the media to reflect on decades of cooperation in defence, security, healthcare and national development.
Delivering the welcome address, the Chinese Defence Attaché to Sierra Leone, Senior Colonel Pu Lin, described the Chinese People’s Liberation Army as a modern military force that has, over the past 99 years, played a central role in safeguarding China’s sovereignty, promoting national development and contributing to international peace and security.
He said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and guided by President Xi Jinping’s vision for military modernization, the PLA has undergone extensive reforms that have strengthened its operational capabilities while maintaining China’s commitment to a defensive national defence policy and peaceful development.
Senior Colonel Pu emphasized that China remains a responsible contributor to global peace and security through its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and international maritime security missions.
He noted that China is the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, with nearly 1,800 personnel currently serving in UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. Over the past 35 years, he said, more than 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers have participated in international operations, constructing roads, bridges, airports and water facilities while providing medical services to communities affected by conflict.
He also highlighted the Chinese Navy’s continuous anti-piracy escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia since 2008. According to him, China has deployed more than 150 naval vessels and over 36,000 personnel to escort more than 7,400 commercial ships and rescue vessels in distress, contributing significantly to the security of international shipping lanes.
On humanitarian assistance, the Defence Attaché recalled China’s support during the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the Chinese military has consistently supplied medical equipment, disaster relief materials and medical experts to countries in need, including Sierra Leone.
He added that the Chinese Navy hospital ships Peace Ark and Silk Road Ark have visited numerous African countries, including Sierra Leone, providing free medical services to nearly 400,000 people across 53 countries and regions.
Turning to bilateral military relations, Senior Colonel Pu said defence cooperation between China and Sierra Leone has continued to expand through personnel exchanges, professional education, institutional support and technical cooperation.
He disclosed that military training opportunities for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have increased steadily, from 28 training slots in 2024 to 51 in 2025 and 61 in 2026. He further revealed that more than 50 Sierra Leonean military officers participated in specialized training programmes and seminars in China over the past year in areas including military medicine, law, agriculture, infrastructure development and security studies.
According to him, military medical cooperation remains one of the strongest pillars of the relationship between the two countries. He announced that China deployed its ninth team of 12 military medical experts to Sierra Leone earlier this year, bringing the total number of Chinese military medical personnel who have served in the country to more than 100.
He said the medical teams have provided treatment to over 10,000 people while supporting healthcare services within the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and contributing to the well-being of the wider population.
Senior Colonel Pu also highlighted China’s continued assistance to military infrastructure development, stating that the Chinese Embassy funded the construction of an underground water tank at the 34 Military Hospital and donated computers, printers, air conditioners and other equipment to the 34 Military Nursing School and the Freetown Garrison.
Ahead of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Day celebrations, he said the Embassy also donated rice, sugar and cooking oil to officers and soldiers of the RSLAF.
Beyond military cooperation, he disclosed that China has supported Sierra Leone’s broader security institutions by providing motorcycles, computers and office equipment to the Office of National Security, the National Commission on Arms and Ammunition and Parliament’s Defence Committee. He added that officials from those institutions, together with personnel from the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority and the National Early Warning and Response Centre, have benefited from seminars and short-term professional training programmes in China.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces through continued military exchanges, professional education and institutional cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Chief of General Staff Major General Sahr David Thomas Ngaujah described the anniversary as a celebration of a military institution that has made significant contributions to international peace, stability and development.
He praised the Chinese People’s Liberation Army as a trusted and dependable partner whose longstanding cooperation has significantly strengthened Sierra Leone’s defence capabilities through sustained investment in training, technical cooperation and institutional capacity building.
Major General Sahr David Thomas Ngaujah disclosed that more than 200 Sierra Leonean military personnel have benefited from professional military education and specialized training in China over the years.
He further announced that 61 officers, cadets and non-commissioned officers are currently being processed for admission into Chinese military institutions during the 2026–2027 academic year.
According to him, China’s continued investment in human capital has enhanced the professionalism, technical competence and operational readiness of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, while knowledge acquired by officers trained in China continues to improve military operations back home.
The Chief of General Staff also acknowledged China’s invaluable support during national emergencies, particularly during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, when China provided emergency medical supplies, technical expertise and military medical assistance.
He commended China’s continued deployment of military medical experts, describing the programme as an important contribution to strengthening healthcare services within the armed forces while facilitating the transfer of specialized medical skills to Sierra Leonean personnel.
Major General Sahr David Thomas Ngaujah further praised China’s donation of engineering equipment, saying it has strengthened the engineering capabilities of the RSLAF and enabled greater participation in national infrastructure projects, including road construction.
He noted that military relations between Sierra Leone and China have evolved beyond traditional defence cooperation into a broader strategic partnership that promotes mutual understanding, cultural exchange and a shared commitment to peace, security and sustainable development.
Delivering a toast during the reception, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Zhao Yong, said the event marked two important milestones: the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone, established on 29 July 1971.
Ambassador Zhao Yong noted that bilateral relations have expanded significantly over the past five and a half decades, producing tangible benefits for both countries through growing cooperation in defence, healthcare, education, infrastructure and development.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to further strengthening its friendship with Sierra Leone and expressed confidence that cooperation between the two countries would continue to deepen for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
The anniversary celebration concluded with renewed commitments from both China and Sierra Leone to further strengthen defence cooperation, expand military exchanges, enhance institutional partnerships and build on the enduring friendship that has defined relations between the two countries over the past 55 years.
