China is willing to conduct closer cooperation with Sierra Leone and other African countries to help them break development barriers and achieve self-motivated and sustainable development, a senior official said at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone on Thursday in Beijing.

"For decades, China and Sierra Leone have all maintained close coordination in multilateral and international affairs, firmly safeguarded fairness and justice and upheld the common interests of China and Africa and other developing countries," said Lin Songtian, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Over the past half century, no matter how the international situation has changed, China and Sierra Leone have maintained a high level of mutual trust and understood and supported each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, he said.

"Especially in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state and driven by the comprehensive strategic partnership, mutual trust has grown significantly, the achievements of win-win cooperation have been remarkable and people-to-people exchanges continue to deepen, which have brought tangible benefits to the two peoples," he said.

Since the year 2020, the governments and people of China and Sierra Leone have stood firmly together in the face of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The concerted efforts in coping with COVID-19 by China and Sierra Leone fully demonstrated their brotherhood spirit, Lin said.

"Looking into the future, we are confident in developing China - Sierra Leone relations in an all-around way. The CPAFFC is willing to coordinate closely with all circles of Sierra Leone," Lin said.

The association wishes to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone as an opportunity, give full play to the advantages of people-to-people and local government resources, further deepen friendship exchanges and cooperation of mutual benefit in various fields, and continuously expand the friendship based on mutual benefit and consolidate social and public support, to make new and greater contributions to the development of the China - Sierra Leone comprehensive strategic partnership, Lin said.

(With input from agencies)