China backs standby force, military training to end insecurity

• Declares aversion to meddling in Africa’s internal affairs
• Excited over naira swap, FG ready for partnership to produce military hardware

China has declared its aversion to foreign interference in African countries’ internal affairs, even as it expressed readiness to support the building of a standby force and the provision of ¥1 billion of grants as military assistance to facilitate training for 6,000 military personnel, 1,000 police, and other law enforcement officers in  African countries.

This came as it also expressed readiness to support Africa through dialogue and consultations to end the myriad challenges besetting the continent.

China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, made this known during a joint press briefing with his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Tugger, after an official visit and closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “China would like to work with Africa to deliver on the global security initiative in Africa and together achieve a modernisation featuring peace and security, and build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.”

The Chinese minister disclosed that the strategic planning of President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu on China-Nigeria relations achieved three major outcomes.

Speaking through an interpreter, he explained, “First, we have achieved a new leap in the characterisation of our relations. Our two Presidents jointly announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Second, we have worked together to establish a new platform. The first plenary session of the Intergovernmental Committee between China and Nigeria has been successfully held, contributing to the elevation in quality of our cooperation. Third, our cooperation at the international arena has reached new heights. Our two sides have coordinated closely in international and regional affairs and worked together for the collective rise, development and vitalisation of the Global South.

“Over more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, no matter how changes occur in the international landscape, China and Nigeria have always, in the spirit of mutual respect and equality, deepened our friendship and pursued practical cooperation, setting a fine example of South-South cooperation, and an important exemplar of China Africa cooperation.”

He said under the guidance of the two presidents, the relationship between the two countries would continue to be strategic, exemplary and provide momentum and confidence for high quality development of China-Africa cooperation and the modernisation of Africa.

“I believe that through the joint efforts of the two sides, the China, Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership will surely embrace an even brighter tomorrow,” he said.

Fielding questions on the proposed currency swap agreement with China, the minister said, “With regard to Nigeria’s wish to increase the line of the currency swap, we will favourably study and consider the issue. Our cooperation is going well in many ways, in terms of finance.

“For instance, we welcome the panda bonds to be issued. We welcome Nigeria to issue panda bonds in China, because we have full confidence in Nigeria’s credibility. And by issuing panda bonds, Nigeria will gain good revenue and the safety is guaranteed through financial support. We are working to contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, in particular railway.”

On how China would contribute to Africa’s peace and stability, he said, “We all have the issue on our minds. In the world today, only through global solidarity can we together respond to the various security challenges.

“At the FOCAC in Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced six propositions and 10 partnership actions for China and Africa to jointly advance modernisation; peace and security are an important part of it.”

On his part, Tugger reiterated the Federal Government’s opposition to the use of foreign machinery in tackling its security challenges, saying it would not provide adequate panacea to the problems.

This is as he revealed the Federal Government’s interest in working with China to domesticate production of military equipment to stave off the unnecessary delays associated with relying on foreign countries in the procurement of such equipment.

He said, “Nigeria has consistently proved effective in leading other countries in our region, and I would even say, on the continent at large, in addressing challenges to peace and security, and we do this whenever we partner other countries and have their support, including major powers outside our region, outside of Africa, and we appreciate that sort of approach.”