Beijing, September 04, 2024, The Europe Today: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership following high-level talks in Beijing on Tuesday. President Tinubu is in China for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.
During the discussions, President Xi highlighted China’s commitment to deepening reforms and advancing Chinese modernization, a process that he believes will create new opportunities for the development of China-Nigeria relations. “The two sides should work together to realize their respective modernization with high-quality cooperation and push China-Nigeria relations for new and greater development,” Xi stated.
The Chinese President emphasized the importance of enhancing strategic mutual trust between the two nations, urging both sides to view and develop bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. He called for firm support on issues of core interests and major concerns, ensuring mutual respect and collaboration.
President Xi also underscored the need to promote interconnected and integrated development in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and mineral resources. He highlighted potential areas for new growth, particularly in the digital economy and new energy, where cooperation could lead to significant advancements for both countries.
In addition to economic cooperation, Xi expressed China’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism, maintain regional stability, and play a more significant role in international and regional affairs. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening multilateral coordination with Nigeria to protect the interests of developing nations.
President Tinubu, in his remarks, stressed the importance of deepening economic cooperation with China and welcomed the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership. He expressed Nigeria’s aspiration to become China’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa and invited more Chinese enterprises to invest in Nigeria. Tinubu highlighted opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, mineral resources, energy, and infrastructure, noting that such investments would contribute to Nigeria and West Africa’s modernization and efforts to eradicate poverty. He assured that Nigeria would provide sound security conditions to facilitate this cooperation.
Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements. These agreements cover a wide range of areas, including Belt and Road cooperation, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economic development, the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, peanut exports to China, and news media collaboration.
The two sides also issued a joint statement on establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership and building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.
Earlier in the day, President Xi hosted a welcome ceremony for President Tinubu at the Great Hall of the People, marking the beginning of what both leaders hope will be a new era of enhanced cooperation and mutual benefit between China and Nigeria.
