On Nov. 23, 2023, the CAI delegation hosted the 17th China Lecture “Chinese Modernization and Africa’s Development” at University of Makeni (UNIMAK), Sierra Leone. 

University of Makeni (UNIMAK) 

Before the lecture, the CAI delegation held a meeting with UNIMAK staff members including Dr. Joseph A. Turay, vice chancellor of UNIMAK; Dr. Fr. George Gbamanja, director of Academic Affairs; and deans of Faculty of Law and Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Finance and Administration, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Mass Communication and Computer Science. 

Dr. Joseph A. Turay extended his warm welcome to the delegation led by professor Wang Xiaoming, vice president of the CAI. He said, the major concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by China has brought together China and Sierra Leone, and educational and research institutions in the two countries. Dr. Turay made an introduction of the UNIMAK. He said, the university was founded in 2005, after the Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002). It is established out of the need to build a civilized, democratic and modern country. UNIMAK has made great efforts to develop academic programmes with the aim to promote professionals development, present policy suggestions to the government, and make contribution to the building of a modern society. The vice chancellor said, the university wished to strengthen cooperation with the CAI in a wide range of areas such as research and talent training. 

Professor Wang Xiaoming briefed on the establishment of the CAI and reviewed the achievements of cooperation between the CAI and UNIMAK. She said that the CAI will continue to boost cooperation with UNIMAK in various fields. 

Vice chancellor of UNIMAK, Dr. Joseph A. Turay is is making speech

Professor Wang Xiaoming is making speech

Dr. Fr. George Gbamanja is making speech

Some of the African scholars at the meeting have studied in Chinese universities such as University of International Business and Economics (Beijing), Tsinghua University, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hebei University and Harbin University of Commerce. They said, more opportunities are demanded by African teachers and students to study in China. They wished to know how Chinese think tanks and universities offer policy suggestions to the government, and learn from China’s experience which could be inspiring for Sierra Leone’s development.

African scholars who have studied in China

CAI delegation and UNIMAK staff members are having meeting

The 17th China Lecture was successfully held at UNIMAK. More than 600 people gathered at the the assembly hall of UNIMAK for the event. The delegation was impressed by this spectacular scene and the hospitality of the African friends who are eager to learn from the experience of Chinese modernization.

Participants at the lecture

At the opening ceremony, a total of 19 African students from the the University’s Chinese Classroom sang a Chinese song called “Friends”. The event reached its climax as the lyric goes “Friends, we walk together always...”, representing the traditional and profound friendship between China and Sierra Leone.

Member of the delegation, professor Wang Yongzhong, research fellow and director of Department of International Commodity, Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) delivered a speech titled “Chinese Experience of Reform and Opening-up, and Economic Modernization and Its Implications for Africa Development”. Huang Juan, associate professor and associate dean of School of Government, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) delivered a keynote speech titled "The Modernization of China’s National Governance System and Capacity". Dr. Zhao Yating, assistant research fellow of the CAI delivered a keynote speech titled "Constructing a New Model of South-South Cooperation: Aligning Global Development Initiative (GDI) with Agenda 2063".

Professor Wang Yongzhong is delivering a speech

Professor Huang Juan is delivering a speech

Dr. Zhao Yating is delivering a speech

African students were also very active and asked questions such as how China-Africa cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could help the poor in Africa; What measures did China take to realize peaceful development; What suggestions China could offer to Sierra Leone in terms of poverty alleviation; How China-Sierra Leone relations could help boost the economic development of Sierra Leone. The Chinese scholars made details answers to those questions.

African students are asking questions

Group photo

After the lecture, the delegation visited Makeni city hall and held a meeting with Abu Bakar Kamara, the Mayor of the Makeni City Council and Minister Resident in Northern Province, Government of Sierra Leone.

Makeni city government officials hosted welcome ceremony for CAI delegation

Mayor Abu Bakar Kamara said, as the largest city in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone, Makeni is facing many difficulties in its development, therefore it is in urgent need of help from China through cooperation. He even proposed an outline of cooperation plans which includes the introduction of Makeni city, outline for government administration, and the plan for Makeni to establish sister-city relations with Chinese cities for further cooperation.

Professor Wang said she would forward the outline to Chinese officials, and she wished a prosperous development and improved well-being of the people in Makeni. After the meeting, the mayor presented the Key of Makeni to professor Wang Xiaoming as a symbol of becoming a resident of Makeni. According to the tradition, professor Wang Xiaoming took over the Key from a chief of African tribe. Makeni city government officials, members of the city council, 12 chiefs of African tribes also participated in the meeting.

CAI delegation and Makeni city government officials are have meeting

Mayor of Makeni city is presenting the Key of Makeni to professor Wang Xiaoming

Group photo

Freetown at night