Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria will further strengthen the 50-year business relationship with China. The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu gave this assurance on Thursday in Abuja while meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Chen Xiaodong.
“For us, it is a new beginning with you. A relationship that has lasted over 50 years must be nourished, nurtured, and promoted. Our mutual commitment to the values of labour, understanding, and development is very important. I am very happy that President Xi Jinping is paying attention to Africa as a whole and our developmental needs,’’ President Tinubu said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The president welcomed China’s support for Nigeria’s pursuit of a more prominent position in the G20, the UN Security Council, and BRICS, the intergovernmental organization of developing economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
He said “we believe in our bilateral relations, and we want to strengthen that. I am glad you mentioned United Nations, BRICS, and the G20. This is the largest economy in Africa. To classify us as a backwater economy, no matter how hungry we are, we will manage our hunger. We will be friends and partners with those who respect our values, and China is one of them.”
President Tinubu who noted that China possesses good technology is transferable, urged the Asian country to seize the opportunity to make an indelible mark on Nigeria. He added that there is need to discuss more and promote cordial relationship between Nigeria and China for mutual benefits.
In his remarks, the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that he was in Nigeria to brief the president on the invitation extended by President Xi Jinping and the itinerary of the state visit. Xiaodong praised the President Tinubu for his strategic vision and leadership roles in ECOWAS and Africa.
