China seeks further cooperation between China and Nigeria in 2025

..Reels out 2024 achievements with Nigeria

The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing has said, China, Nigeria consistent supported for each other had fostering mutual benefits and achievements.

Yuqing said China and Nigeria have written a remarkable chapter of friendship and cooperation, striving for shared development and progress.

She disclosed this while reeling out events of 2024 and achievements said
China and Nigeria have developed a good tradition of mutual trust on political and diplomatic issues.

She noted that, on June 21, 2024, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, and Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, co-chaired the first plenary session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee.

Yuqing disclosed that over the past more than 50 years, China and Nigeria have developed a good tradition of mutual trust on political and diplomatic issues, mutual benefit in practical cooperation, mutual support in international affairs, and mutual learning in people-to-people exchanges.

She said the Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit in Beijing on September 2024 has further strengthen the ties between the two country

According to her, both country president established comprehensive strategic partnership and building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future, signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the high-quality belt and road cooperation plan, promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative.

According to her, “the economic development, application of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, peanut exports to China, and news media, among other fields, successfully opening a new chapter in the development of China-Nigeria relations.

“Over the past year, under the guidance of the leaders of China and Nigeria, and with the support of friends from all sectors in both countries, the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos has worked hand in hand with various partners with insight, to advance and deepen the consular district’s cooperation with China, which has yielded significant achievements in economic and trade relations, local interactions, and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to the enhancement and upgrade of the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership.

“The bilateral trade volume between China and Nigeria has exceeded USD 17.1 billion, and the structure of bilateral trade continues to be improved. Tens of thousands of Nigerian businessmen have actively participated in such important economic and trade fairs as the Canton Trade Fair and the China International Import Expo.

The 2024 China Commodities Expo Nigeria, and the 2024 China International Building Materials and Hardware Tools (Nigeria) Brand Show, have made wonderful appearances in Lagos.

“The Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Chinese Entrepreneurs Community in Lagos, China Industry and Commerce Enterprises Association (CICEA) and others play an active role in promoting economic and trade cooperation between China and Nigeria. The Lekki Free Trade Zone, Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone and other China-Nigeria jointly-built free trade zones and industrial parks have been revitalized.”

Yuqing further stated that Chinese enterprises based in the zones and parks have created a strong “Chinese brand card” with their high-quality products and services, generating tens of thousands of jobs for local community and putting a vivid footnote for the common development and prosperity of both China and Nigeria through made in Nigeria.
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“Over the past years, both country have achieved a lot in the field of infrastructure and engineering contracting. In January this year, I had the honor to witness the largest container ship in Nigeria’s history docking at Lekki Deep-sea Port.

“This marks the largest deep-sea port in West Africa, built by the Chinese company, as a new global “business card” for Nigeria. And in February, I witnessed the launching ceremony of the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line Project and the signing of the agreement on its second phase, which once again demonstrated that the Nigerian side had the same trust in Chinese-funded enterprises as in the past.

“In May, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria (CCECC Nigeria) completed the urgent repair of the Third Mainland Bridge’s damaged loops and ramps, fully demonstrating China’s solution, China’s speed and China’s quality.

“China and Nigeria have jointly promoted a series of other major infrastructure and engineering contracting projects, such as the Lagos-Ibadan Railway and the new terminal project of Lagos International Airport, which are vivid cases and epitomes of China and Nigeria’s high-quality Belt and Road cooperation for mutual benefits and win-win situation.

“Local Interactions Are Bearing Fruit.
The consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos covers 20 states in the southern part of Nigeria, which are economically developed, rich in natural resources and have broad prospects for development.”

In addition to promoting the deepening of economic and trade, education, medical and health cooperation between Lagos State and China’s Jiangxi Province and Qingdao City, Yuqing said she have also visited Ogun State several times and traveled to Edo State, Ekiti State, Ondo State and Cross River State.

“By strengthening cooperation in industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development, we have deepened the sister city relationships between Edo State and Fuzhou City, and Ondo State and Linyi City. We are also actively facilitating connections, to help Ekiti State and Cross River State to find Chinese partner provinces or cities.”

She further noted that, “this year marks the second year that the Chinese Consulate General, in collaboration with the overseas Chinese community represented by the Nigerian Huaxing Art Troupe, has carried out the “Renewed Hope, Rebirth from the Light” charity project to finance cataract sufferers in Nigeria. This project has enabled over 300 cataract patients in Nigeria to regain their eyesight.

“This beautifully illustrates the essence of the China-Nigeria relationship mutual recognition, mutual trust, and win-win cooperation. Let’s continue working hand in hand to write an inspiring new chapter of friendship and cooperation between China and Nigeria in 2025.”