The Federal Government has vowed to enhance and reinforce the long-standing business ties between Nigeria and China, which have been in place for over 50 years. On Thursday, in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu reassured the Chinese delegation about this commitment. The reassurance came during a meeting with Chen Xiaodong, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs from China.
President Tinubu emphasized that maintaining and growing a relationship that has lasted half a century is crucial. He stressed that both nations should continue to support and advance this partnership. “Our relationship with you is like a fresh start,” President Tinubu stated.
ZHe highlighted that our shared values of hard work, mutual understanding, and development are key to nurturing this bond. He expressed his appreciation for President Xi Jinping’s attention to Africa’s development needs.
The Nigerian President expressed support for China’s backing of Nigeria’s push for a more significant role in global forums like the G20, the UN Security Council, and the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
“We have confidence in our own abilities and are dedicated to improving our people’s quality of life,” President Tinubu said. He reflected on China’s transformation over the years, noting his past visit to Shanghai when it was still a small village. He praised the rapid development and technological advancements China has achieved, calling for more collaboration between the two countries.
President Tinubu commended President Xi Jinping for his consistent efforts to strengthen ties with Nigeria and Africa. “We value our relationship and wish to make it stronger,” he stated. He appreciated China’s role in supporting Africa’s infrastructure needs and praised its contribution to mobilizing capital for projects that benefit African communities. He emphasized the importance of technology transfer and skill development for Nigeria’s young and educated population.
The President also expressed gratitude for President Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit China. He highlighted the progress made on the Lekki Free Trade Zone and stressed the need for more industrial parks in Nigeria. He noted that Nigeria is rich in mineral resources and has a significant Chinese presence, urging further discussion to strengthen mutual benefits.
In his remarks, Chen Xiaodong, the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, conveyed that his visit was to inform President Tinubu about President Xi Jinping’s invitation and the details of the planned state visit.
He praised President Tinubu for his strategic leadership and influential role in ECOWAS and Africa. Xiaodong expressed confidence that the upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping would create more opportunities for Nigeria and Africa.
He also congratulated President Tinubu on his re-election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
