This seminal book critically explores China-Sierra Leone relations, within the framework of the long-standing friendship, co-operation and mutual benefit diplomacy, as well as the complex cooperation between the two countries within the geopolitical context of South-South co-operation at bilateral and multilateral levels.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the China-Sierra Leone engagements and the establishment of diplomatic relations, on July 29, 2021, the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sierra Leonean President, Julius Maada Bio, held a long telephone conversation to consolidate the bilateral relations between the two countries. During President Julius Maada Bio's State Visit to China in February 2024, President Xi Jinping described the China-Sierra Leone relationship as "a good example of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation".
Although China is one of Sierra Leone's most important bilateral partners, providing significant assistance and implementing various infrastructural projects across the country through the China Aid programme, there is limited understanding of why the two countries hold such importance for each other in the geo-political and geo-economics context, and in the process, have emerged as a model of China-Africa relations and cooperation.
This book examines the history, nature, scope, trajectory, key actors (in terms of the Structure-Agency debate) and the complexity of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, as well as the broader impact of the Sino-Sierra Leone relations on both nations. The book will be of interest to academics, scholars, researchers, policy practitioners, diplomats, educators, journalists and others interested in Sierra Leone and African politics; China-Africa relations, China's geopolitics, International Relations, Political Economy of Africa and China's engagements with the continent.
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Professor David J. Francis is currently a Senior Visiting Research Professor at the Institute of African Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, China. Professor Francis is a distinguished international academic, who served as Head of Department of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford in UK. He also held a Research Professorial Chair as well as UNESCO Chair at the same University. Professor Francis is extensively published with 12 books on Sierra Leone, African politics, peace, security and development issues in general. As a statesman, diplomat and policy practitioner, Professor Francis served as Chief Minister and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone between 2018 and 2023.
