5. Xi meets Sierra Leone president

Xi Jinping holds talks with President Bio of Sierra Leone

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 28 (Reporter Sun Yi) On the afternoon of February 28, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President Bio of Sierra Leone, who was in China for a state visit.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Serbia have a long history of friendship. The two sides support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, cooperate effectively in the field of economic and social development, coordinate closely on issues such as world peace and development, and fight against the Ebola epidemic and the new crown epidemic. Overcoming difficulties together, China-Serbia relations can be regarded as a model of unity and cooperation between China and Africa. China is willing to work with Serbia to consolidate high-level political mutual trust, promote practical and mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs, and push China-Serbia relations to a new level.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China firmly supports the people of Sierra Leone in taking a development path that suits their national conditions, and is willing to strengthen exchanges with Sierra Leone on state governance, continue to support each other's major concerns, and safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests. China is willing to provide assistance and support within its capacity to the development of Serbia's agriculture, infrastructure construction, human resources and other fields, and encourage and support Chinese enterprises to invest and start business in Sierra Leone. The two sides should strengthen cooperation in UN Security Council affairs and jointly safeguard the interests of Africa and developing countries. Serbia is welcome to actively participate in the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, and work together to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the people of China and Africa share a common destiny. China has always regarded the development of solidarity and cooperation with African countries as an important cornerstone of its foreign policy. China will uphold the concept of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, strengthen mutual support and friendly cooperation with African countries, and will support the African industrialization initiative, the African agricultural modernization plan, and the China-Africa talent training cooperation plan closely with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries. The docking will further integrate China's development, Africa's development, and the world's development, promote the quality and upgrading of China-Africa cooperation, and push the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress. China is willing to work with African friends, including Sierra Leone, to successfully host this year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and carry forward China-Sierra Leone and China-Africa friendship.

Bio said that China is a friend that Sierra Leone trusts and relies on. The two sides always respect each other, treat each other as equals, and share a profound traditional friendship. Serbia thanks China for its strong support for Serbia’s economic and social development, and highly appreciates the Communist Party of China for leading the Chinese people to achieve leapfrog development and promote national rejuvenation. China's experience provides profound inspiration for developing countries to accelerate their development. The “One Belt, One Road” initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has had a broad and positive impact on promoting the common interests of all mankind. Serbia adheres to the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports China in safeguarding its core interests. Serbia is willing to learn from China's experience, strengthen cooperation with China in jointly building the "Belt and Road", and expand infrastructure construction, trade, education, public New space for cooperation in services and other fields will inject new impetus into the traditional friendship between Serbia and China and promote the further development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Serbia and China. Serbia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in regional and international affairs to jointly promote world peace and development.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of jointly building the "Belt and Road", agriculture, economic development, and implementation of global development initiatives.

The two sides issued the "Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Sierra Leone on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation."

Before the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Bio and his wife Fatima in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

A 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square, and soldiers lined up to pay tribute. The two heads of state ascended the reviewing stand, and the military band played the national anthems of China and Serbia. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Biot reviewed the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the procession.

That night, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan held a welcome banquet for Mr. Bio and his wife in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi participated in the above activities.