China has signed an economic and technological cooperation
agreement with Sierra Leone granting interest-free loans to the
West African country, according to reports from Sierra Leone'
capital of Freetown Friday.
The accord was signed by Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone
Cheng Wenju and Zainab Hawa Bangura, Sierra Leone's minister of
foreign affairs and international cooperation.
On behalf of Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma and his
government, Bangura expressed appreciation to the Chinese
government, saying his country will use the loans properly on the
basis of consultation to reconstruct Sierra Leone's economy.
Bangura said the Sierra Leone government has attached great
importance to relations with China and firmly adheres to the
one-China policy.
The agreement shows that the Chinese government highly values
its relations with Sierra Leone, Cheng said.
It also shows the Chinese government's understanding of and
support for Sierra Leone's efforts to vigorously rebuild the
country's war-battered economy and society, Chen added.
Cheng expressed his hope that the two countries will work
together to further push forward the friendly cooperative
relationship between China and Sierra Leone.
(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2008)