In the year 2023, mankind emerged from the great shadow of the global epidemic of COVID, but the Ukraine Crisis and the conflict in Gaza have been prolonged, and the global economic recovery has been fraught with difficulties, which have profoundly affected the well-being of people of all countries.

Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Yet China thinks that the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amid twists and turns will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change. We will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all.

Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping creatively put forward the important concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Over the past ten years, this concept from among countries and the regional level to the global level in cyberspace, nuclear security, oceans and health; from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) ……. Under President Xi Jinping’s strong leadership and continuous promotion, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been continuously enriched and developed, and the magnificent practice has been continuously and deeply promoted.

China held its Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing from December 27 to 28, 2023. It was pointed out at the conference that building a community with a shared future for mankind, the goal is to build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity, the pathway is promoting global governance that features extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the guiding principle is to apply the common values of humanity, the basic underpinning lies in building a new type of international relations, the strategic guidance comes from the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and the platform for action is high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. On this basis, we seek to bring countries together to meet challenges and achieve prosperity for all, and usher in a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world. On New Year’s Eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message and pointed out that we will work closely with the international community for the common good of humanity, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and make the world a better place for all.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind, we need to meet the trend of times, uphold equity and justice and firmly stand on the right side of history and the side of human progress. Given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations. To keep the progress toward greater multipolarity generally stable and constructive, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognized, basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practiced.

A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind, we need to work together. There is a proverb in Sierra Leone that says, “You can never tie a knot with one hand“. Regardless of whether it is a big or small country, developed or developing, only by working together can we achieve a win-win cooperation for the benefit of all mankind. Sierra Leone has become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from the beginning of 2024 and has an even greater responsibility for the future of the world and the destiny of mankind.

China is willing to hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for mankind with Sierra Leone, deepen traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust, and promote the China-Sierra Leone Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to provide greater certainty and inject more positive energy into the friendship between China and Sierra Leone, regional development and world peace.