By Our Correspondent
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria
Yu Dunhai has highlighted the benefits of the recent visit of Nigeria president Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a state visit to China and also to attend the 9th Forum of China Africa Coopetation (FOCAC) which he said was very rewarding to both countries.
Ambassadir Dunhai disclosed this today during a media briefing at the Chinese embassy in Abuja
He said that China attaches high priority to its relationship with Nigeria and the visit opens a new era in bilateral relations, noting that it was for this reason that China “made special protocol arrangements” for president Tinubu’s visit.
According to Ambassador Dunhai “President Tinubu was among the very few to be accorded a state visit , which fully 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”.
It was on this basis that the two presidents agreed to upgrade China-Nigeria relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. This he said is a very important promotion for China-Nigeria relations after the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2005.
Secondly, the visit, the ambassador said maps out a new blueprint for China-Nigeria relations.
“After the meeting, our heads of state jointly issued the Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Building a High-level China-Nigeria Community with a Shared Future. Focusing on four aspects, covering high-level strategic mutual trust, high-level development cooperation, high-level security mutual assistance, and high-level mutual understanding, the Joint Statement comprehensively elaborates on the essence of establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two countries and building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future, and maps out the blueprint for the future development of China-Nigeria relations” he said.
Furthermore, the Joint Statement, support each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns, particularly sovereignty and territorial integrity. Nigeria appreciates Chinese modernization, and China appreciates the efforts of Nigeria in enhancing regional peace and solidarity and promoting regional integration. Both countries are dedicated to facilitating synergies between the high quality Belt and Road cooperation and FOCAC conference outcomes, with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Eight Priority Areas, and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.
He noted that Nigeria applauds and supports the vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) proposed by China.
Both sides accordingly pledged to support each other’s efforts in international affairs, including the UN, the G20 and BRICS. Both sides agree that human rights, including the right to development, are a common cause for all humanity and oppose the politicisation of human rights issues, i.e. the interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. The two sides will strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, and advocate an equal, orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.
Furthermore, two sides he said will jointly uphold peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, the common values of humanity, and commit to a new approach to international relations focusing on win-win cooperation. The two sides will enhance high-level mutual learning, and continue to explore the advantages of respective diversified cultures and ancient histories. Through mutual exchanges, mutual learning and mutual understanding, they will continue to enhance the bond and friendship between the two peoples, and promote mutual trust, interest sharing and common progress.
On the Taiwan question he said Nigeria firmly adheres to the one-China principle and acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any form of “Taiwan Independence” or interference in the internal affairs of China and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. This fully reflects Nigeria’s firm support for the one-China principle, which is highly appreciated by Chinese side.
Thirdly, the chinese ambassador noted that the visit opens up a new prospect for China-Nigeria practical cooperation.
“During President Tinubu’s visit, the relevant government departments of the two sides signed a total of 13 cooperation documents, covering such areas as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation planning, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economic growth, human resources, application of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System, export of peanuts to China, and the media exchanges. Among them, one bilateral cooperation document covers around 19 projects that China and Nigeria are cooperating and intend to cooperate with.
In addition, multiple cooperation agreements were signed between relevant departments, state governments and Chinese companies during the visit. These documents reflect the fruitful outcomes of President Tinubu’s visit, the thriving cooperation between our two countries, and the bright prospects of China-Nigeria cooperation.
China he said welcomes the expansion of bilateral trade and supports the import of more quality products from Nigeria into its market. Nigeria is willing to strengthen its partnership with China in the development of energy, mineral resources and to work with Chinese companies to set up plants in Nigeria to meet local consumption and export needs.
The two countries will jointly explore cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green development, blue economy and agricultural modernization, and foster new growth drivers in cooperation.
The two sides agree to deepen cooperation on the infrastructure connectivity between the two countries. China proactively supports Nigeria in developing its domestic infrastructure construction, including transportation, ports and free trade zones, towards achieving integrated development of industries, He added
