Recently, the completion and handover ceremony of the Sierra Leone Diplomatic Training Academy project was held. Sierra Leone's President Bio, First Lady Fatima, Foreign Minister Francis, Deputy Foreign Minister Kamara and other senior government officials and representatives of parliamentarians, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Wang Qing, Minister Counselor Li Xiaoyong, Economic and Commercial Counselor Du Zijun and embassy staff, some countries More than 300 people attended the ceremony, including diplomatic envoys in Cyprus, deputy general manager of overseas companies Du Xinguo, key managers of the Sierra region, and staff of major news media in Serbia.

Sierra Leone Diplomatic Training Academy Project

According to reports, the Sierra Leone Diplomatic Training Academy is expected to be fully operational on February 1, 2023. As a professional training and educational institution of the Sierra Leone Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Academy will be committed to addressing the capability gap in the diplomatic sector and promoting education and research , to promote career development. While cultivating more outstanding talents for the diplomatic cause of Sierra Leone and even West Africa, the college will also become a landmark building to promote the development of China-Sierra Leone friendship.

Du Xinguo, deputy general manager of China Railway Seventh Bureau Overseas Company, said in his speech that after two years of intense and rigorous work, the builders of China Railway Seventh Bureau have overcome many challenges including the new crown pneumonia epidemic, inflation, shipping delays, flight fuses, etc., and successfully completed the construction. West Africa's first high-quality, high-standard, and advanced professional training academy for diplomats. After acceptance by the expert team, the project fully meets all the functions required by the design. China Railway Seventh Bureau will continue to actively carry out work in the field of exchanges and cooperation in the field of economic development between China and Serbia to promote, consolidate and strengthen the development of friendship between China and Serbia.

Speech by Du Xinguo

In his speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone Francis expressed his gratitude to the builders of China Railway No. 7 Bureau for completing the project construction on schedule. He was deeply impressed by the quality of the project. As a project of excellence, the Diplomatic Academy will provide high-quality and professional training services for the diplomatic service, including various local and international courses. He praised the project as a magnificent college that will be well utilized, provide high-quality courses and activities, and adopt international practical teaching.

Wang Qing, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, said in his speech that this new and technologically advanced building of the China Foreign Affairs University is a New Year gift from the Chinese government and people to the government and people of Sierra Leone. He hopes and believes that this college will become the cradle of diplomats in Sierra Leone and train more professional diplomats. While President Bio's new direction strategy is making progress, China's new journey will also create more opportunities for bilateral cooperation including market trade and investment. Standing at a new starting point, China-Serbia relations will usher in a brighter future. Ambassador Wang expressed his heartfelt thanks to the China Railway Seventh Bureau and all walks of life in China and Serbia for overcoming various challenges, especially for their hard work, selfless dedication, understanding and support in completing their mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Editor/He Yuting