Tinubu hosts Chinese envoy, sings about strengthening Nigeria-China ties of over 50 years

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday received the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Chen Xiaodong, in Abuja and commended the partnership between Nigeria and China.

By Chimezie Godfrey

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday received the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Chen Xiaodong, in Abuja and commended the partnership between Nigeria and China.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, and made available to journalists.

“For us, it is a new beginning with you. A relationship that has lasted for more than 50 years needs to be nurtured, cared for and promoted. Our mutual commitment to the values ​​of work, understanding and development is very important. I am very happy that President Xi Jinping pays attention to Africa as a whole and our development needs,” President Tinubu told the Chinese delegation at the State House.

The President welcomed China’s support for a more prominent position for Nigeria in the G20, the UN Security Council and the Intergovernmental Organization of Developing Countries, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS).

“We believe in ourselves. We are determined to strengthen the values ​​of our people. Over the years, China has gone through stages of transformation and development. I once visited Shanghai when it was still a village, and to see the rapid transformation, the technological development, is worthy of more joint efforts,” the president said.

President Tinubu praised President Xi Jinping for consistently strengthening relations with Nigeria and Africa.

“We believe in our bilateral relations and we want to strengthen them. I am glad you mentioned the United Nations, BRICS and the G20. This is the largest economy in Africa.

“To classify ourselves as a backward economy, no matter how hungry we are, we will control our hunger. We will be friends and partners with those who respect our values, and China is one of them.

“I appreciate what President Xi Jinping is doing in Africa, helping to mobilize capital for projects that will positively impact the lives and livelihoods of our people in Africa.

“Africa’s infrastructure needs are monumental, especially Nigeria’s. You have good technology that you can transfer. You have a good opportunity to make an indelible mark on Nigeria. We have a very vibrant youth population, well-educated and ready to learn. A skills development and knowledge transfer programme is extremely important,” President Tinubu added.

The President also thanked President Xi Jinping for the invitation to visit China.

“I am glad that you appreciate my efforts for the Lekki Free Trade Zone, and we are doing very well. We need to develop more industrial parks in the country. Nigeria is blessed with mineral resources, and we have many Chinese nationals around. We need to talk more about that and promote a cordial relationship for mutual benefit,” the President said.

In his speech, the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister said he was in Nigeria to brief the president on President Xi Jinping’s invitation and the itinerary of the state visit.

Mr Xiaodong praised the President for his strategic vision and his leading role in ECOWAS and Africa.

“You are an important leader and strategist in Africa. We believe that your meeting with President Jinping will open more discussions and opportunities for Nigeria and Africa,” the Chinese envoy said.

Mr Xiaodong also congratulated President Tinubu on his re-election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.