I. Political Relations

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Sierra Leone established diplomatic relations on July 29, 1971. The relationship between the two countries has developed smoothly. In December 2016, China and Sierra Leone established comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

H.E. President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone paid a state visit to China in February 2024 and attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September.

II. Economic and Trade Relations and Economic and Technological Cooperation

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China has assisted to construct projects such as the station for popularizing rice-cultivation techniques, National Stadium, and the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Road in Sierra Leone. Since 1985, China has established multiple joint ventures or wholly-owned enterprises in Sierra Leone.

In 1971, China and Sierra Leone signed the Trade and Payments Agreement. In 1989, the two countries signed the Trade Agreement. In 2001, the two countries signed the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments. In April 2009, the two countries established the Joint Economic and Trade Commission and held its first meeting in Sierra Leone. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume was 1.63 billion USD, marking a year-on-year increase of 23.9%, China's exports were 610 million USD while imports were 1.02 billion USD. China mainly exports mechanical and electrical products, metal products, etc., and imports timber, mineral products, etc.

III. Exchanges and Cooperation in Cultural, Educational and Other Fields

China and Sierra Leone signed the Cultural Agreement in 1981, and cultural delegations from both countries have visited each other multiple times.

China started to offer scholarships to students from Sierra Leone since 1976. 

China has been sending 25 batches of medical teams to Sierra since March 1973 with a total of 384 personnel dispatched so far.