A Commentary By Amin Kef Sesay
It is worthy to note that the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its sixth plenary session in Beijing from the 8th to 11th November 2021, a session which was of historical significance.
During the session the CPC reviewed and passed a resolution on the major achievements and historical experience of the CPC’s endeavors in the 100 years of its glorious journey.
His Excellency President Xi Jinping, who doubles as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a work report at the meeting on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
The session summarized the achievements made by CPC, which have enabled China to complete a process of industrialization that took developed countries several centuries in the space of mere decades, lifting over 750 million people out of extreme poverty, and bringing about the two miracles of rapid economic growth and enduring social stability.
The session pointed out that over the past century the Party has made great achievements in different periods of China’s development. Especially, following the Party’s 18th National Congress, the CPC has successfully led the Chinese people to fulfill the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and has embarked on the new journey to achieve the Second Centenary Goal of building a strong modernized socialist country in all respects.
The session stressed the significance of upholding President Xi Jinping’s core position in the Party and defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The session pointed out that by firmly upholding and safeguarding Xi’s core position, the whole CPC has an anchor and China has a backbone and by defining the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, it ensures that the CPC can keep moving forward in the right direction and lead the Chinese people for a brighter prospect.
The session summarized 10 basic experiences the CPC has accumulated: upholding the Party’s leadership, putting the people first, advancing theoretical innovation, staying independent, following the Chinese path, maintaining a global vision, breaking new ground, standing up for ourselves, promoting the united front, and remaining committed to self-reform. The session stressed that these 10 aspects are the fundamental guarantee for the successes of the cause of the CPC and the Chinese people. Adhering to the 10 basic experiences is essential for making continued successes and contributing to the long-term prosperity and stability of China, the session concluded.
The session mapped out strategies on how to forge ahead both internally and internationally including the enhancement of China’s relationship with other countries.
Going down the annals of history, China and Sierra Leone established ties as way back as the 29th July 1971 when the relationship between the two countries was officially sealed. Since that period, spanning decades, the bilateral relations has grown smoothly encompassing high level exchanges, close cooperation in economic, social and cultural spheres as well as deepening the political trust between the two nations.
It is important to realize that a growing China means more cooperation and investment opportunities for Sierra Leone. Economic assistance, human capacity building, helping to boost the country’s health sector, offering of educational opportunities , more infrastructural supports are expected to flow from the Chinese side. In 2020, the bilateral trade volume reached about 530 million USDs and China has been the largest trading partner for Sierra Leone for ten consecutive years. The accumulated direct investment from China to Sierra Leone reached 3 billion USDs in 2020.
So far, dozens of Chinese enterprises have invested in Sierra Leone, injecting vitality to infrastructure building, transport, telecommunications, tourism, manufacture, fisheries and mining.
Today in Sierra Leone there are landmarks which are testimonies of the fruitful relationship between China and Sierra Leone such as the National Stadium, Youyi Building, China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital, the 3.2km Ring Road in Freetown etc.
Sierra Leone is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, which is set to expand further. Sierra Leone will surely benefit more in the years to come.
This country, as part of demonstrating friendliness, has always adhered to One China Policy, rendering support on issues considered to be of core interests to the Chinese people.
2018 was a very significant year in the relationship between the two countries as it was in that year that President Julius Maada Bio visited China and attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). During his visit, President Bio held talks with the Chinese President Xi Jinping on major issues, and signed important agreements of cooperation between the two countries.
Also very important to know is that the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held on November 29 and 30 in Dakar, Senegal, the current African co-chair of FOCAC. The theme of the conference will be: “Deepen China-Africa Partnership and Promote Sustainable Development to Build a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era”.
The conference will review and assess the implementation of the outcomes of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit as well as the joint China-Africa response to COVID-19, and chart the course for China-Africa cooperation for the next three years and beyond. The seventh China-Africa Business Conference will take place in parallel with FOCAC in Dakar virtually.
During this conference, China and Africa, including Sierra Leone, will further build consensus, focus on how to deepen cooperation in such key areas as health, industrial production capacity, infrastructure, trade and investment, digital economy, green development, peace and security, and human capital development.
From the aforementioned, it could be safely concluded that China is set to become more prosperous in the years ahead. What this will invariably mean is that Sierra Leone will continue to benefit from a more prosperous and advanced China.
