TRACE Joenal: Ambassador Zhangliang Another Grassroots Diplomat Surfaces

It was a mixed feeling for TRACE Joenal when the announcement was made that the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Ambassador Wu Peng mission has come to an end.
Ambassador Wu Peng made a remarkable mark in Sierra Leone. He is among the lists of successful diplomats in Sierra Leone that thus not only and mainly seeks the interest of his country but the country he resided as well. TRACE Joenal wants to wish him well in other mission areas.
Few days after the announcement was made, Ambassador Wu Peng left for another assignment; he ushered in his successor, Ambassador Hu Zhangliang in March 2019 as the new Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone.
Let us go down memory lane:
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Sierra Leone, Hu Zhanliang born in 1973, previously worked as the Division Director of the Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Deputy Mayor of Rushan City in Shandong Province and the Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom.
In December 2013, he was appointed as the Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa.
In February 2015, Hu Zhangliang was appointed as spokesperson in the Chinese South Africa partnership with Counselor Ms. Pan Peng.
Ambassador Hu has wealth of experience in diplomacy and has worked in many English countries that have given him the advantage in the language.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said he is expecting Ambassador Hu to excel in Sierra Leone as he says they hold this embassy in high esteem because of the history between the two countries.

In April 11, 2019 Ambassador Hu Zhangliang presented his Letter of Credentials to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown.
Ambassador Zhangliang said it was an honour and privilege to present his credentials to President Bio and to represent his country in Sierra Leone. He said China had high respect for the Government of Sierra Leone because of the devoted efforts of President Bio to the wellbeing of the people, adding that under his leadership in one year he had embarked on a new historical path with fresh vitality.
“China and Sierra Leone enjoy a traditional relationship. Over the past 48 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have enhanced political trust and have made good progress in advancing the friendship and cooperation in various fields. China appreciates Sierra Leone’s efforts in maintaining the ties between our two countries.
“Last year’s meeting between the two Presidents sets out the blueprint for the future of our bilateral relations. China has had great importance placed on a comprehensive, strategic and cooperative partnership with Sierra Leone. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with Sierra Leone in areas of infrastructure, agriculture, health care, education, culture, military and other fields to further develop our relations and bring benefit to our people,” he assured.
Ambassador Zhangliang then engaged the Media as one of his constituencies. The media in Sierra Leone has benefited a lot from China through the efforts of their Ambassadors and other staff of the embassy.
During Ambassador Zhangliang engagement with the media for the first time after he took up office, TRACE Joenal was among dozens of journalists that interacted with Ambassador Zhangliang.
He had long chat during our lunched.
Ambassador Zhangliang interaction with people is good. TRACE Joenal saw him as a servant rather than boss. He talked to everybody and encouraged the media to put the nation first.
Ambassador Zhangliang has being in Sierra Leone and worked at the embassy before he was appointed at Ambassador some years ago, but his wealth of experience in diplomatic mission has landed him top positions across the world.
Ambassador Zhangliang interaction did not only stop with the media, he continued to visits places and encouraged Sierra Leoneans to put their country first. A good servant doesn’t work for himself but for his country. Ambassador Zhangliang is down to earth.
He spoke about the important role the media can play and if they play it well, it will go a long way for the country.
TRACE Joenal saw the passion and love of Ambassador Zhangliang for Sierra Leone and how he wants to see the country. Through that, he encouraged other countries to join them.
TRACE Joenal hope to get more engagement with Ambassador Zhangliang and wants to wish him a successful mission in Sierra Leone.
TRACE Joenal is a regular column brought to you by Ibrahim Joenal Sesay, Senior Staff Writer of SALONE TIMES NEWSPAPER, Best Human Right Reporting award winner and Advocate for Change in Sierra Leone. You can follow him on www.samnewsplus.com,Twitter & Facebook @tracejoenal or E-Mail tracejoenal@gmail.com