On the afternoon of May 25, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Sierra Leone counterpart Ernest Bai Koroma at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides agreed to carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen pragmatic cooperation and push the bilateral friendly and cooperative ties to a new height.

On behalf of the Chinese people, Hu congratulated the Sierra Leone and African people on the 46th anniversary of Africa Day, an important festival for the African people.

Calling the two countries "good friends and partners", Hu said the China-Sierra Leone traditional friendship remains unchanged despite great changes in the international situation and the domestic circumstances of the two countries. Hu said President Koroma highly treasures bilateral ties and firmly sticks to the one-China policy. Bilateral relations have shown a sound momentum of accelerated growth since President Koroma took his office. Hu highly appreciated these achievements.

Koroma thanked for the best wishes extended by President Hu to the Sierra Leone and African people on the 46th anniversary of Africa Day. When Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations with China 38 years ago, the African country firmly believed that the great People's Republic of China would surely play an important role in the world and their bilateral cooperation would benefit the two countries, Koroma said. The development of the situation today fully proves that, he added. He said his country was grateful to the selfless assistance China offered over the years and appreciated China for always adhering to the principle of mutual respect and equality, adding that the one-China policy is a cornerstone of Sierra Leone's China policy. Taiwan and Tibet, both historically and geographically, are inalienable parts of the People's Republic of China, he added.

Hu said under the new historical conditions, China is ready to join hands with Sierra Leone to further develop bilateral political ties of equality and mutual trust. Hu proposed both sides keep close contacts between their leaders. The governments and relevant departments of the two countries should enhance planning and coordination for bilateral cooperation in all areas. Both sides should maintain friendly exchanges between legislative bodies and ruling parties and learn from each other on governing the country. Hu told Koroma China values its trade ties with Sierra Leone, and is committed to helping speed up the country's economic reconstruction. Hu also vowed to promote the accomplishment of existing bilateral projects as scheduled in the spirit of mutual benefit and common development. He urged both sides to explore cooperation in the areas of infrastructure construction and resource exploitation for the benefit of both peoples. Both sides should make joint efforts to facilitate bilateral education, public health and human resources programs so as to inject new vitality into their traditional friendship. Hu welcomed more Sierra Leone young people to study in China, pledging to train more professionals for the country. He offered aid to Sierra Leone's education, culture and public health programs. China supports Sierra Leone's peaceful reconstruction process and is ready to enhance coordination with it on major issues such as peacekeeping, poverty reduction and fighting against global challenges, in a bid to promote South-South cooperation and South-North dialogue.

Koroma expressed his full agreement with Hu's proposal on developing bilateral ties. "Sierra Leone highly values relations with China, and is ready to cement all-round cooperation with the country and learn from its development experience," he said. He hoped that both sides will expand cooperation on trade, agriculture, mineral resources, medical care and infrastructure. Koroma said his country welcomed increased investment from China, vowing to create sound environment and conditions. Koroma called for enhanced bilateral cooperation on international and regional issues, in particular African issues, to further push forward Sierra Leone-China and Africa-China ties.

The two presidents attended a signing ceremony for a couple of cooperative agreements including one on economic and technological cooperation between the two governments.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Koroma's visit at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.

Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress Jiang Shusheng, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice Chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Zhizhen, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League Li Chong'an, Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Qiu Shaofang attended the welcoming ceremony.