By State House Communication Unit
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, Tuesday 10 May, 2016// — Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Zhao Yanbo, were on Tuesday conferred Honourary Grand Commander of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GCRSL) and Honourary Commander of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone (CRSL) respectively in recognition of their assistance and support in promoting the development aspirations of the Government and People of Sierra Leone, particularly the remarkable gesture of solidarity demonstrated during the unprecedented Ebola outbreak.
Conferring the award and reading part of the 55th Independence Anniversary statement of President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, the Secretary to the President, Mr Emmanuel B. Osho Coker said President Koroma awarded his Chinese counterpart, President of the People’s Republic of China, and the Chinese Ambassador for their relentless service to the Government and People of Sierra Leone especially during the unprecedented Ebola epidemic.
According to Mr Osho Coker, the two countries have enjoyed deep and long standing friendly and bilateral relations since 29th July 1971 when diplomatic ties were established between them.
The awards were received by Ambassador Yanbo at a glittering ceremony at State House, which was attended by Vice President Ambassador Dr Victor Bockarie Foh, cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
