By Abubakarr Harding
Executive members of the Sierra Leone China Friendship Association (SiLCHA) met with the new Deputy Director General of Asian and African Affairs for Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Ji Yongjun.
The meeting, which was held virtually on Monday, August 15, 2022, was one of the first tasks of the newly appointed DG of Asian and African Affairs.
Huang Xiaowei (Vivian), Director, Department of Asian and African Affairs (CPAFFC)disclosed that the meeting was intended to introductory affair, as Ji Yongjun just took office this year. He used to be in charge of people-to-people exchanges with Latin American countries, but he is now head of the department of Asian and African Affairs, CPAFFC.
Vivian pointed out that Ji Yongjun was yearning to meet with friends from African friendship associations because he wants to learn about SiLCHA’s current key programs that are enhancing China-Sierra Leone friendship, such as Small Small Chinese and to discuss on future cooperation in post COVID-19 era among others.
Participants from the CPAFFC side were:
- Ji Yongjun, Deputy Director General of Asian and African Affairs, CPAFFC
- Huang Xiaowei, Director, Department of Asian and African Affairs, CPAFFC
- Tu Lili, Deputy Director, Department of Asian and African Affairs, CPAFFC
- Jiao Tianjiao, Staff member, Department of Asian and African Affairs, CPAFFC
Participants from SiLCHA side were:
- Mariatu Kargbo Founder SiLCHA SSC
- Onike King Chairperson SiLCHA
- Mr Ibrahim Joenal Sesay Secretary General SiLCHA
- Ibrahim Bangura Public Relation Officer and Coordinator SSC
- Eugenia Metzger
Founder of SiLCHA and SSC, Ms. Mariatu Kargbo spoke about the establishment of SiLCHA some years back and how they are pleased with the relationship between the two countries.
She advised Mr Ji to remember the grassroots friendship association as they have been doing a great work for China pointing out that they should be direct beneficiaries of projects/development that will remain in their communities a legacies.
SiLCHA’s Chairperson, Onike King said they have longed for such a meeting as they wanted CPAFFC to know about the relationship between Sierra Leone and China. She disclosed that SiLCHA prioritizes education, agriculture and health.
She emphasized that they always stand with China in all aspect and give support as and when necessary.
SiLCHA also reiterated its support for the One-China principle to Ji Yongjun.
Ji Yongjun, in his keynote address, described themselves like a big family just like President Xi stated. He expressed joy for the meeting and also spoke of the need for cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Yongjun was impressed with the Small Small Chinese teaching project among other projects of SiLCHA and shared the Mexico experience with them for the project to become more successful.
