China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening tourism and cultural exchanges with Nigeria within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework.
Mr Li Xuda, the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, spoke on Saturday at a Seminar themed “Advancing Culture and Tourism Exchange in BRI Cooperation.”
The China Alumni Association of Nigeria and the University of Abuja jointly hosted the seminar.
Xuda said such cultural exchanges would promote the bilateral relations between the two countries.
He emphasized the embassy’s consistent focus on enhancing people-to-people connections between China and Nigeria.
The envoy highlighted the significance of cultural and tourism exchanges in societal advancement and national development.
He listed the five core principles of the BRI as Policy Coordination, Infrastructure Connectivity, Trade Facilitation, Financial Integration, and People-to-People Bonds.
“The aspect of people-to-people bonds extends beyond cultural and tourism interaction to fostering mutual understanding and respect among the diverse nations and regions involved in the BRI cooperation.
“China and Nigeria boast rich cultural legacies and abundant tourism resources.
“Over the past six years, our partnership in the BRI has deepened our bilateral exchanges significantly.
“I am confident that our cultural and tourism pursuits will receive a further boost in the next phase of the high-quality BRI construction, leading to the bridging of existing gaps in our exchanges,” he said.
Mr Otunba Ajiboye, the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its continuous support in advancing Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors.
Ajiboye said that Nigeria’s diverse natural and cultural treasures, ranging from its picturesque national parks to its historical sites and bustling urban centres were key attractions for tourists.
He stressed on the necessity of leveraging the BRI to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism infrastructure, promote sustainable practices and offer distinctive cultural experiences to visitors.
Ajiboye added that BRI could stimulate tourism, revenue generation, job creation and cultural preservation.
“We are committed to collaborating with our Chinese counterparts to develop mutually beneficial joint projects, exchange programmes and initiatives that contribute positively to both countries,” Ajiboye said.
On his part, Dr Uche Anunne, Assistant Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), underscored the importance of investing in Nigeria’s tourism and culture industry which had the potential to drive economic growth.
“I believe that while infrastructure development is crucial, it should not come at the expense of the tourism industry which requires attention and resources to reach its full potential,’’ he said.
Anunne said that media played an influential role in promoting culture and tourism, citing its capacity to shape public perceptions.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the BRI is a global infrastructure development strategy unveiled by the Chinese government in 2013 with the aim of investing in over 150 countries and international organisations.
