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Sierra Leone’s youth development agenda took center stage as the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Zhao Yong, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, in Freetown, reaffirming the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
The visit, which marked Ambassador Zhao’s first official engagement with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, reflected the enduring friendship between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China, with discussions centered on the strategic importance of young people in driving national growth and development.
Minister Sannoh used the opportunity to highlight Sierra Leone’s demographic profile, noting that the country’s population of just over eight million is predominantly youthful, with more than 70 percent under the age of 35. He described this reality as both a responsibility and an opportunity for government and development partners.
“Our youthful population is a major asset. The government is determined to harness this potential through targeted investments, partnerships, and policies that translate opportunity into real socio-economic gains,” the Minister said.
Ambassador Zhao Yong commended Sierra Leone for its peace and stability, describing the country’s young population as a vital force for sustainable development. He noted that China places high value on youth empowerment as a cornerstone of long-term national progress.
“China stands ready to work closely with Sierra Leone to support initiatives that build skills, encourage innovation, and promote inclusive growth, especially those that directly benefit young people,” Ambassador Zhao stated.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through capacity building, youth-oriented programs, and people-to-people exchanges designed to deliver lasting impact.
Both parties concluded the meeting by expressing optimism that deepened cooperation between China and Sierra Leone, particularly in the youth sector, will play a critical role in advancing national development and shared prosperity.
