China has signed an economic and technological cooperation agreement with Sierra Leone granting interest-free loans to the West African country, according to reports from Sierra Leone' capital of Freetown Friday.

The accord was signed by Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Cheng Wenju and Zainab Hawa Bangura, Sierra Leone's minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

On behalf of Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma and his government, Bangura expressed appreciation to the Chinese government, saying his country will use the loans properly on the basis of consultation to reconstruct Sierra Leone's economy.

Bangura said the Sierra Leone government has attached great importance to relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

The agreement shows that the Chinese government highly values its relations with Sierra Leone, Cheng said.

It also shows the Chinese government's understanding of and support for Sierra Leone's efforts to vigorously rebuild the country's war-battered economy and society, Chen added.

Cheng expressed his hope that the two countries will work together to further push forward the friendly cooperative relationship between China and Sierra Leone.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2008)