Thursday, January 8, 2026. His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio formally accepted the Letter of Credence from the newly appointed Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Zhao Yong, during a ceremony that reaffirmed both capitals’ commitment to strengthening an already strong bilateral relationship.
The credentialing event, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, marked the official handover of diplomatic responsibilities from Ambassador Wang Qing, who recently completed a three-year posting in Sierra Leone. Minister Kabba expects Ambassador Zhao’s arrival to strengthen the long-standing and cordial relationship between the two countries, building on his predecessor’s efforts.
His Excellency President Xi Jinping extended cordial greetings to President Bio, the Government, and the Sierra Leonean people through Ambassador Zhao Yong as he formally presented his credentials. Ambassador Zhao highlighted significant advancements in social and economic governance during the current administration and praised the progress Sierra Leone has made under President Bio’s direction. In addition, he praised President Bio’s role on the African and global stages and his contributions to regional peace and stability, especially within ECOWAS.
Ambassador Zhao reaffirmed China’s appreciation for Sierra Leone’s continued support for the One China Policy and expressed Beijing’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with Freetown in areas of mutual strategic interest. He expressed Beijing’s intention to maintain and expand partnerships that produce tangible development outcomes.
President Bio welcomed Ambassador Zhao on behalf of Sierra Leone’s government and people, and thanked President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for the two countries’ long-standing friendship. The President described China as a trustworthy and reliable partner whose ongoing assistance has been critical to Sierra Leone’s development efforts, particularly in infrastructure, economic growth, and social development.
President Bio emphasised that the bilateral relationship is built on mutual respect, shared values, and a win-win approach to cooperation. He urged Ambassador Zhao to build on the momentum of current programs and to oversee the continuation and successful implementation of ongoing development projects throughout the country.
President Bio concluded the exchange by reaffirming his government’s commitment to close collaboration with the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China, emphasising the importance of ensuring that the partnership continues to provide tangible benefits to citizens of both countries.
