The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai has stated that Nigeria-China relations has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership following the conclusion of the 2024 Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in China.
Ambassador Yu disclosed this at a conference of experts from the academia, media and business community held in Abuja on Friday to review the outcome of the FOCAC Summit of September 1 to 6 in Beijing, China.
The envoy further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu, who attended the event, was among few heads of government given a state visit and accorded a grand welcome by China’s President Xi Jinping and Premer Li Qiang, which he said reflects China’s high respect for President Tinubu, Nigerian people, the great importance China attaches to Nigeria as a major country, and China’s political commitment to developing bilateral relations and strengthening friendship between our two countries.
Apart from the upgrade of the status of China-Nigeria relations, Ambassador Yu said China extended to the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties with China, who were in attendance at the summit the import of the theme which is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
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At the summit, he said Nigeria restated its commitment to the ‘One-China Principle’, signed 13 cooperation documents covering areas of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and agreed on implementing the Global Development Application of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System.
Furthermore, Yu said the two countries agreed to build cooperation on the digital economy, green development, blue economy, and agricultural modernization, and foster new growth drivers, anti-terrorism and money laundering intelligence sharing, and market opportunities, adding that the Nigerian president’s visit would help deepen Global South solidarity.
“President Xi Jinping spoke highly of Nigeria’s status as a major country and our bilateral relations. He points out that China and Nigeria have shown great respect to each other, treated each other as equals, sought strength through unity, and pursued win-win cooperation. China is further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernization, which will bring more opportunities for the development of China-Nigeria relations,” he said.
He added, “The two sides should join hands to realize modernization respectively, enhance strategic mutual trust, and strengthen the coordination of development strategies and people-to-people exchanges through high-quality cooperation. China supports Nigeria in combating terrorism, maintaining regional stability and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Nigeria in multilateral affairs, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.
“President Tinubu extended appreciation for China’s warm reception, and fully agreed with President Xi Jinping’s remarks on China-Nigeria relations. He said the bilateral cooperation has boosted Nigeria’s economic growth, and Nigeria hopes to become China’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa.
“Nigeria welcomes more Chinese companies to invest in Nigeria and contribute to the modernization of Nigeria and West Africa. Nigeria is grateful for the important training opportunities China provides for the youth in Nigeria, and is willing to deepen people-to-people exchanges with China.
“President Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and will continue to work with China to support each other on issues related to their respective core interests. He also said that Nigeria will work closely with China to achieve a complete success of the FOCAC summit.”
He said the fruitful results achieved by the summit will not only point out the direction and plan the blueprint for the common development of China and Africa but will also inject strong power into the modernization cause of the Global South and will guide international cooperation with Africa “like a beacon”.
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