‘Our dream is to eradicate poverty in China by 2020’
The Chinese national flag/ AFP PHOTO / STR
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pinjian, has disclosed that the dream of the country was to eradicate poverty from the Asian nation by 100 per cent by year 2020. He disclosed adding that China has already raised about 600 million people from poverty.
Besides, by 2025, he said China would achieve modernisation and complete turn around and total rejuvenation.
Pinjian stated this while awarding 47 deserving students of the University of Jos N4.7 million scholarships cutting across various disciplines. The event held at the institution.
The ambassador explained that the award was to mark the 47 years of the cordial diplomatic tie between China and Nigeria, stressing that next year when the country will be marking the relationship it will be 48 which he said would grow as the year rolls by.
According to him: “On October 1, 1960, Nigeria achieved independence. On October 1, 1949 the People’s Republic of China was founded. That is why the October 1st scholarship for friendship and cooperation. And why 47? On February 10, 1971, 47 years ago, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China set out diplomatic relations.”
Again, he said what informed the love between the two countries was not far-fetched. “Nigeria is the most populous country in this continent. China is the most populous country in that continent to the Asia and the world, over 1.3billion people. Nigeria is the largest economy in this continent. China is the largest economy in that continent Asia.
“Nigeria is the largest university country in Africa. China is the largest university country in the Asia and the world. There are so many similarities between us. And I don’t forget to remind you one similarity in essence shows a special bond between our two countries. This lies in our national anthems.
“Can you imagine it? The first word of the lyrics of the national anthem is exactly the same word of the lyrics of the Chinese national anthem. For you, “Arise, O Compatriots. For us, ‘Arise, O You Who Refuse To Be Slaves.’ So, you see, China and Nigeria are really very close.”
Pinjian predicted that in the near future, Nigeria and China would be immediate neighbours in terms of population. He said that the Chinese believe they are on the right path in the pursuit of their dream, which is rejuvenation.
He said he foresee a great and bright future for Nigeria and a bright relationship between both countries.
Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Sedi Sabastine Maimako, disclosed that the university was 43 years old with over 30,000 student population but that it was still partly operating from the temporary site.
Maimako thanked the ambassador for the scholarships, stressing that the good gesture would deepen their relationship.
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