The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, has disclosed that China and Nigeria will collaborate to explore opportunities in the digital, green, and blue economies.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 25, Yuqing revealed that China is open to increasing imports of Nigerian agricultural products.
She noted Nigeria’s call for enhanced partnership in mining and solid mineral development and expressed willingness to work with Chinese companies to establish manufacturing firms in Nigeria for both local consumption and export.
Yuqing added: “The two sides stand ready to create an open, transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for the corporate cooperation between the two countries, strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. Both governments committed to intensifying efforts to protect the rights and dignity of each other’s citizens living in their country and create a business-friendly environment for their business.
“Deepening political mutual trust, enhancing military cooperation, and jointly safeguarding national peace and stability. In the political arena, the Government of the Nigerian side acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.
Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” in any form, and any external attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and Nigeria will also support the efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.
“The two sides agreed to work towards good governance and democratic values, peace, security and stability in the Sahel region and recognize Nigeria’s leading role in the fight against terrorism and other related transborder crimes.
Read Also: China ready to expand import of Nigeria’s agricultural products
“China commends His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership role in ECOWAS and his efforts towards bringing about stability in the region.
“The two sides agreed to support each other’s efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity and social harmony, endeavour to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.
China expressed its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment, and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and aboard, as well as at the regional and international levels, and to safeguard peace and stability of the country”.
The Consul General concluded: “Embarking on a new journey and welcoming new development, the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Nigeria has yielded fruitful results in recent years. A number of exemplary projects such as Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos Light Rail “Blue” and “Red” Lines, and the Lagos-Ibadan Railway have increasingly played significant roles in Nigeria’s economic and social development.
“The momentum of industrial development and investment in the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone and the Lekki Free Trade Zone continues to move forward. In the field of new energy, the complementary advantages of both parties are evident, and green sustainable development offers new ideas and directions for economic cooperation between the two countries, with the benefits of development continuously reaching the people of both nations.
“Looking ahead, the peoples of China and Nigeria once again stand at a new starting point. As long as the two countries continue to regard each other as important strategic partners and continuously facilitate synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC conference outcomes, with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Areas proposed by President Tinubu, and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.
“Under the strong drive of the “four engines” of infrastructure, trade, finance, and new energy, the two countries will leverage their respective advantages and achieve coordinated development across various fields. High-level, all-round cooperation will deepen and solidify bilateral relations.
“Taking the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit in Beijing this September as an opportunity, both countries will explore broader regional cooperation mechanisms, jointly address global challenges, and promote the building of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.”