President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday converged with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing, China.
Revealing this in a statement, the Special Adviser (SA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said both Chief Executives declared the rise of Nigeria-China ties to that of a far-reaching strategic partnership.
As per the assertion, both Chief Executives consented to building a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.
“This is an important visit for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, as I arrive in my capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS. I thank you for the high-level of honour accorded to us,” Tinubu said.
“Relations between China and Nigeria have indeed lasted for over half a century and should be further strengthened to advance our trade and economic development programmes.
“Nigeria holds great potential as the country with the largest population in Africa and is the biggest economy with a very young population that can drive economic growth and cross-sectoral programmes.
“We have upgraded the relationship to more than what is just strategic — but a comprehensive developmental partnership.
“This comprehensive strategic partnership should result in robust development, stability, and security in the West African sub-region. This is very crucial.”
Tinubu additionally spoke on his administration’s economic changes, guaranteeing Jinping of Nigeria’s obligation to sustainable development through the effective execution of ongoing economic changes.
“We believe that President Xi has demonstrably reformed the Chinese economy, and our reform programme in Nigeria is on a similar course. I am a reformer with verifiable antecedents.
“We have recognized the need to reform our economy, and we are doing so diligently across tax and tariff reviews, to various other segments of our nation’s economy.
“Trading and investment partners will have easy access to bring in their investments and seamlessly take their resources out,” the President stated.
On his part, President Xi noted areas of strength for the mutual understanding between Nigeria and China since the foundation of diplomatic ties over recent years.
He said, “We have found the path of seeking collective strength, through unity, and win-win cooperation.
“China and Nigeria, as major developing countries, strengthening strategic coordination, will inject fresh impetus to China-Africa relations in the new era and spearhead common progress among Global South countries.”
As indicated by the Chinese leader, the 2024 FOCAC Summit provides valuable opportunity to reflect on mutual friendships and advance the consolidation of China-Africa relations.
He pledged that China and Nigeria would keep on working closely within the FOCAC structure as a model of cooperation between nations.
