TOURISM AND CULTURE TO LEAD THE NEXT 55 YEARS OF SIERRA LEONE-CHINA TIESMINISTER NABEELA TUNIS CALLS FOR DEEPER CREATIVE COLLABORATION AT DIPLOMATIC ANNIVERSARY
By David K.Fengai
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, has called for deeper creative collaboration during the 55th anniversary celebration of diplomatic ties between Sierra Leone and China.
Speaking at the milestone event held at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, stressed the need for cultural diplomacy to drive the next chapter of partnership between the two nations.
Minister Tunis said the 55 years of friendship have been built on mutual respect, trade, and development cooperation, but the future must be anchored in people-to-people connections. She highlighted tourism, arts, music, film, and heritage as key areas where Sierra Leone and China can work more closely to create jobs, boost investment, and showcase both cultures to the world.
“The next 55 years should be about creativity,” Tunis stated. “Through cultural exchanges, joint festivals, and tourism promotion, we can deepen understanding and turn our shared history into shared prosperity.”
She added that the Ministry is committed to expanding opportunities for Sierra Leonean artists, creatives, and tourism operators to partner with their Chinese counterparts, while also promoting Sierra Leone as a top cultural and eco-tourism destination.
Chinese diplomats at the event reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s tourism and cultural sectors, describing culture as a bridge that unites nations beyond politics and economics.
The anniversary celebration featured cultural performances, exhibitions, and tributes to decades of cooperation in infrastructure, health, and education.
