By Othuke Evroh
In a significant step toward fostering people-to-people diplomacy, cross-cultural understanding and academic exchange, Tsinghua University of China in collaboration with the University of Abuja, on Friday, January 17, convened a high-profile seminar titled: “Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning Between China and Nigeria”.
The seminar which took place at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, was attended by an impressive array of dignitaries from both countries, including the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai, Professor Zhao Yuezhi, Director of Research and Practice Base for Global South Communication, School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, Mallam Jibrin Ndace, Director General, Voice of Nigeria(VOA), Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Head of Department, Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja, Ambassador Amedu Ode, Former Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zheng Xiaopeng, CEO and Publisher of Africa China News(ACN) and students form both nations.
In his opening speech, Ambassador Yu Dunhai, stated that the seminar was a very timely one because last September, at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, President Tinubu and President Xi Jinping elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
”One of the core mandates of this partnership is to build a high level people-to-people exchange. That is why today’s seminar is in response to this very important agreement”, he said and continued.
”People-to-people exchange is so important because country-to-country relations eventually boil down to people-to-people relations. I believe that People-to-people relations lay the foundation for our bilateral relations. China to Nigeria relations is not only about government-to-government relations, it is not only about business, but eventually, it is about people-to-people relations”, he said.
The Ambassador also noted that over the years, China and Nigeria have carried out a lot of cultural exchanges.
”For instance, we have co-hosted the cultural week of China and Nigeria, we hosted the Chinese Spring festival events and we invited Chinese artistes to come to Nigeria to collaborate with Nigeria artistes and we established cultural centres in our respective capitals. And of course, the universities of our two countries jointly established two Confucius centres in Nigeria and during a meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, the Vice Chancellor told me that she is keenly looking forward to open a Confucius centre here in University of Abuja and that we should work on that. So, Nigeria and China have splendid cultures and are very unique in their own ways and as such, will continue to enhance their development through mutual learning and cultural exchanges”, the Ambassador declared.
Also speaking at the event, Mallam Jibrin Ndace, Director General of the Voice of Nigeria(VON), stated that his agency currently broadcasts news in several foreign languages and would soon commence news broadcasting in Mandarin in an effort to promote mutual learning and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China.
He noted that the media plays a very significant role in enhancing civilization exchanges and that VON is poised to promoting Nigeria’s potential and cultural heritage across international frontiers.
Mr. Zheng Xiaopeng, CEO and Publisher of Africa China News(ACN) and Chairman, Association for Nigeria People-to-people Friendship(ANPPF), while delivering his goodwill message stated that Nigeria and China share a lot in common in the spheres of culture and civilization.
”Both our civilizations have existed for thousands of years, with China’s existing over 5,000 years and Nigeria’s over 3,000 years. The Niger and Benue rivers in Nigeria share a semblance with the Yellow and Changjiang rivers, our mother river in China”, he said.
”Therefore, in my opinion, besides being a means of identity, culture makes us happy, makes us love each other, helps us work together and enhances our mutual understanding, cooperation, development and peaceful coexistence. So, Nigeria and China have a lot to benefit from civilization exchange and mutual learning”, he stated.
Other speakers at the event include, Ambassador Amedu Ode, Former Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Raphael Oni, among others.
