By Fatmata Jengbe
In expressing solidarity, the Sino-Sierra Leone Alumni Association (S1SLAA), a body that comprises Sierra Leonean Graduates from Chinese Universities have expressed deep concern and empathy for the Chinese Government and the People of China for the recent Coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province in the Peoples Republic of China.
In a Press Release the members of the association stated that the entire membership of SISLAA notes with great sadness for this heart-breaking situation furthering how it wholeheartedly stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China during this difficult moment.
The release further informed that the Sino-Sierra Leone bilateral relations has attained tremendous development since the 1970s to date and as such SISLAA wishes to reassure the hopes and aspirations of the Chinese People and Sierra Leonean students studying for their various degree and certificate programmes in China that their resilience and steadfastness in the light against this deadly virus is commendable.
“China has made tremendous efforts by promoting bilateral trade agreements, boosting the Agriculture. Healthcare, Infrastructure, Fisheries, Energy and Education sectors in Sierra Leone,” it continued adding that the Chinese Government has always been a development partner to Sierra Leone and has continued in this direction even during their trying moments.
It went on to state that since the very start of the deadly outbreak, the Chinese authorities have acted swiftly and decisively by providing food support and medical aid to those living in the epicenter and other affected areas in and around Wuhan and the entire Hubei Province.
They maintained how the Chinese Government and other International Partners including the World Health Organization should also be commended for their efforts in the light against this deadly virus to date.
SISLAA also expressed concern over the plight of Sierra Leonean students living in China and appreciates the timely intervention of the Government of Sierra Leone for providing the 2019 annual allowances to the 153 beneficiaries of the Chinese Government Scholarship, through the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Sierra Leone Embassy in China.
“SISLAA is with the firm belief that the virus will soon be put under control as various efforts have been put in place to curtail it and prevent it from further spreading. SISLAA shall therefore continue to work with the Government of Sierra Leone, the Chinese Government through the Chinese Embassy in Freetown and other authorities in China by providing the necessary support to the Government, the citizenry and Sierra Leoneans in China during these challenging times,” it stated.
The present situation in China therefore, is of both national and international concern and any action by an individual, group or organization that tends to undermine both national and international efforts in the fight against the coronavirus, which has resulted into over 1,400 reported deaths and an estimated number of over 24.000 infected cases will not be taken lightly by SISLAA and the authorities concern, it furthered.
