Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with his counterpart from Sierra Leona, Ernest Bai Koroma, who is in China for a state visit. President Xi said that both sides have been very supportive of each other since they established diplomatic relations 45 years ago. He added that China is willing to work with Sierra Leone in areas such as military, education and media, while the government is encouranging more Chinese companies to work in mineral exploitation there.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front L) holds a welcome ceremony for Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 1, 2016.(Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Meanwhile, Koroma thanked China for its help during the recent Ebola epidemic, adding that his country is currently working on ten cooperation plans that were proposed at last year's China-Africa cooperation forum in Johannesburg. Both leaders also witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents.