Sierra Leone's envoy to the People's Republic of China, His Excellency Ambassador Victor Bockarie Foh, recently embarked on a series of diplomatic courtesy calls to a number of African Ambassadors in China, such as the Ambassadors of Benin, Guinea, Cape Verde and Liberia.

The aim of the visits that started on the 22nd July was to establish a common working relationship with colleague ambassadors. The visits were also meant to familiarize himself with colleagues in the diplomatic community.

On the 22nd of July, Ambassador Foh paid a courtesy call on the envoy of Benin to the People's Republic of China, Ambassador Sedozan Apithy. In his remarks, Ambassador Foh thanked his colleague for welcoming him to Beijing upon his arrival to take up his ambassadorial duties slightly over a month ago, saying: "As an African brother, I was happy that you were at the airport to receive me and I am grateful."

Ambassador Foh commended the leadership of Benin who, two years ago, had the presidency of the African Union. Sierra Leone, he said, believes in the values and principles of the African Union and specifically called for greater collaboration between him and Ambassador Apithy. "We value the AU and we also strongly believe in coming together, as we support each other," he said.

The envoy further pointed out that both Sierra Leone and Benin share a lot in common, making reference to the economic and governance structures of both countries.While extending a hand of friendship and brotherhood to his colleague, Mr. Foh also assured him to count on the Sierra Leone Embassy at all times "as we will support each other at both bilateral and multilateral levels".

Responding, Ambassador Apithy encouraged his colleague to utilize his political experience while working with the Communist Party of China. "From experience, I would advise you to have a good relation with the CPC of China. I know that when you have a good relationship with them you can enhance your relationship with China," he encouraged. The Sierra Leonean diplomat was also advised to closely work with the Chinese business community as "establishing contact with them will be very useful".

His decision to welcome Ambassador Foh at the airport, he said, was out of the belief that as African brothers, it is his responsibility to perform this brotherly role. He called for continuous collaboration at all times.

In a related development, Ambassador Foh on the 23rd Julyalso paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador of Guinea to of China, His Excellency Diare Mamady. Welcoming the envoy, the Guinean ambassador elaborated on the political spirit and commitment of Mr.Foh towards supporting the Presidents of the MRU countries, which he said, will largely help them as MRU Ambassadors in China to overcome their challenges and difficulties.

Ambassador Mamady briefed his counterpart on the workings of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which he said deals with African countries mostly at bilateral levels, in terms of development cooperation. He however asked Mr.Foh to join them as MRU Ambassadors and see how they will start working on regional integration for better result-oriented projects.

Going further, Ambassador Mamady informed his visitor that funding from the Chinese has always been available for Africa especially within the framework of FOCAC, but called on them to "keep working with the framework of regional cooperation. We should not be working alone but work as a team in carrying out projects within the sub-regional framework".

Ambassador Mamady also informed his colleague of the sub-regional economic free zone that they have been working with along the MRU basin and called on Foh to work with them for better result.

Responding, the Sierra Leonean diplomat informed his colleague that he is relying on the support and cooperation of the other MRU Ambassadors, while underscoring the need for closer collaboration, saying: "When we come together as a union (MRU) we get things done better. I will assure you that we will be each other's keeper and we will be sharing ideas for the good of us all."

Moreover, it was during the visit to the Guinean Ambassador that the Deanship of MRU Ambassadors was handed over to Ambassador Foh by virtue of his age.

On the same day, Ambassador Foh also met with the Liberian Ambassador to China, H.E. Jarjar M. Kamara. They both discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and the sharing of ideas for better working relations. Ambassador Kamara spoke of how impressed he was with the progress he saw on his recent visit to Sierra Leone, and specifically made reference to the infrastructural development. He called on Sierra Leone to continue pushing the momentum of development, noting that "in the coming years, Sierra Leone will lead a number of countries".

Ambassador Foh, on his part, called for closer cooperation between him and his colleague, especially in the marine and security sectors of the two countries. He also commended the progress Liberia has made over the years, especially in the involvement of women in the country's leadership. He referred to the country as "an admirable one" and "the pride of Africa for giving us the first female President".

A similar courtesy call was madeto Ambassador Julio Cesar Freire De Morais of Cape Verde by Ambassador Foh and both agreed to have a better and closer working relationship. Ambassador Morais also encouraged his colleague to work closely with the Chinese Ministry of Culture for closer and better results. Twinning of cities between China and Sierra Leone and working towards getting Confucius Institutes from China to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Morais observed, are ways of forging closer cooperation between Sierra Leone and China.

In all of the courtesy calls, Ambassador Foh was accompanied by the HOC Paul Minah, the Financial Attaché Amara Koroma, the First Secretary Augusta Akibo-Jones and the Press Attaché John Baimba Sesay.