FREETOWN, Sept. 23, (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the Confucius Institute of the University of Sierra Leone held a ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

The event was attended by the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Victor Foh, and cabinet ministers. It features performances by students and lecturers from China's Gannan Normal University and the Confucius Institute.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yanbo noted that though Sierra Leone and China are far apart geographically, that does not prevent them from sharing their experiences.

A highlight of the night's performances was a student group dance and the presentation of the calligraphic writing "long and lasting friendship between China and Sierra Leone", done by a lecturer from Gannan Normal University, to the Vice President.

Foh described the performance as a "remarkable symbol for cultural exchange between Sierra Leone and China".