The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Beijing

  • From Beijing, with deals

    From Beijing, with deals

    President’s China trip promises a harvest for the future

    Not enough has been said and written about the benefits of the recent visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to China. But the narrative that almost drowned this significant outing was the list of the high-profile delegation. The story, mainly ballyhooed in the social media, was that the trip was another spendthrift affair.

    But little remorse has followed after the true story gradually came to light that

    the roll call of marquee names who accompanied the president were there for worthy reasons.

    So, the two governors, Uba Sani (Kaduna State) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), were not there for photo ops. The ministers who were there had their pens ready for memoranda of understanding (MOU) on behalf of the country and their ministries. They included ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, trade and investment, solid minerals, power, defence, transportation, petroleum resources, information and national orientation, foreign affairs.

    At the centre of it all was the meeting between President Tinubu and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, and they penned a bilateral agreement intended to raise the profile of relations between both countries that has already topped $23 billion in annual trade, making it second to South Africa in Africa, with the Asian behemoth.

    The MOUs cover its famous Belt and Road cooperation, economic development, application of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, nuclear energy, groundnut exports to China and news media. Critical among these deals is infrastructure. The imprint of China is evident in the Nigerian landscape, in road and railways construction snaking through our vast cities and wildernesses. For agriculture, it eyes the rebirth of the Kano pyramids with an MOU on the export of shelled nuts to the Asian country.

    One of the major goals is the Lagos- Abuja as well as the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railways. These are projects for which the president has shown enthusiasm and the China visit is another marker of that zest.

    Another agreement is the Huawei DigiTruck to ramp up mobile ICT classrooms in 10 states in Nigeria. It promises to break grounds in literacy onslaught, especially in underserved parts of the country. In the sturdy gas industry, they penned a deal for the Brass Industrial Park, Facilities, and the Methanol Complex project. It was between Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company and the China Road and Bridge Corporation. These deals amount to about $3.3 billion.

    Read Also: Korean film festival returns to Nigeria after COVID-19 break

    On of the understated announcements was the $1 billion MOU between Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited with its Chinese counterpart, Sinomach-Hea. This promises to revive the long-neglected and criticised Ajaokuta Steel complex.

    For the FCT, the minister signed agreements for street lights in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business District and the Airport Road.  The other is for waterworks not only to complete the Abuja Water Works, but also to extend the supply of clean water to Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje. Another agreement covers solar street lights for Mabushi, Katampe and Garki.

    Lagos State Governor Sanwo-Olu signed the Green Line MOU, a train addition to the Red Line and Blue Line. The Green Line will connect Lekki to Marina, which potentially is one of Nigeria’s busiest commutes with about a million passengers a day. Kaduna State‘s Governor Sani signed agreements to bring high-tech imprints on his state, including an MOU with Huawei Technologies to ensure unified command centre, enhanced security, intelligent traffic system, e-government and office automation, smart education, smart healthcare, ICT talent, renewable energy and public transportation.

    After the visit, the president proceeded to the United Kingdom where agreements on bilateral levels were also signed. The downside was that his media team did not inform Nigerians that he was going to the United Kingdom.

  • Beijing Summit: China, Africa will embark on new journey toward modernization – Yuqing 

    Beijing Summit: China, Africa will embark on new journey toward modernization – Yuqing 

    Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, has said the Beijing summit marks a significant event as China and Africa would embark on a new journey toward modernization and elevate the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to new heights. 

    Yuqing, who made this remarks in a statement issued on Friday, said the  outcomes of the summit were fruitful, adding that the prospects for cooperation were vast, and the historical significance was profound.

    She stated that President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have agreed to upgrade the China-Nigeria relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and build a High-level China-Nigeria Community with a shared future. 

    “After the talks, the two presidents jointly witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as the Cooperation Plan on Jointly Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, economic development, the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, peanut exports to China, and news media. 

    “The two Presidents also issued the Joint Statement Between The People’s Republic Of China And The Federal Republic Of Nigeria On Establishing A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership And Building A High-Level China-Nigeria Community With A Shared Future”, Said Yuqing. 

    She added: “The Partnership Action for Connectivity, China is prepared to carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, promote together high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development.

    “The Partnership Action for Development Cooperation, China is ready to release the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative with Africa, implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, replenish the China-World Bank Group Partnership Facility and support Africa in hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

    “The Partnership Action for Health, establish with Africa a hospitals alliance and joint medical centers, send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa, and launch 20 programs of health facilities and malaria treatment. 

    Read Also: Over 30 African nations for AWIS 2024 summit

    “We will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production, and continue to do what we can to help Africa with epidemic response. We support the development of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen public health capacity in all African countries.

    “The Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods, China will provide Africa with RMB 1 billion yuan (nearly $140 million) in emergency food assistance, build 100,000 mu (about 6,670 hectares) of standardized agriculture demonstration areas in Africa, send 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. We will implement 500 programs in Africa to promote community welfare. We will also encourage two-way investment for new business operations by Chinese and African companies, enable Africa to retain added value, and create at least one million jobs for Africa.

    “The Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges, China will implement with Africa more solidly the Future of Africa—Vocational Education Cooperation Plan, establish together an engineering technology academy, and build ten Luban Workshops. 

    “We will provide 60,000 training opportunities to Africa, mainly for women and youths. We will launch with Africa a Cultural Silk Road program as well as an initiative of cooperation on innovation in radio, TV and audio and visual programs. The two sides have agreed to designate 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.”

    Yuqing stated: “The Partnership Action for Green Development, China is ready to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, put in place meteorological early warning systems, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief as well as biodiversity conservation. 

    “We will create a China-Africa forum on peaceful use of nuclear technology, establish together 30 joint laboratories, and collaborate on satellite remote sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration. All this is designed to help with green development in Africa.

    “The Partnership Action for Common Security. China is ready to build with Africa a partnership for implementing the GSI, and make it a fine example of GSI cooperation. 

    “We will give Africa RMB1 billion yuan of grants in military assistance, provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from Africa, and invite 500 young African military officers to visit China. 

    “The two sides will conduct joint military exercises, training and patrol, carry out an “action for a mine-free Africa,” and jointly ensure the safety of personnel and projects”.

  • Influenza activities in China lower than in last flu season

    China’s current influenza activity level is lower than the same period as in 2018, Authorities have said, citing the latest influenza surveillance statistics.

     

    The viruses that have so far been detected this flu season in China were mainly influenza virus A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2, and only in a tiny minority of cases B virus lineages Victoria and Yamagata, data showed.

    Read Also:Buratai condoles with Shagari family

     

    Most of China’s provinces and regions have now entered the flu season that spans from winter 2018 to spring 2019, reporting a continued increase in influenza activity, according to Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

     

    “Beijing’s influenza surveillance data indicate that the peak of the flu season is already here,’’ said Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control.

     

    On preventing the flu, she noted the importance of washing hands properly and covering up when sneezing or coughing.

     

    Pang, urged the elderly and children to avoid places that are crowded or poorly ventilated.

  • FOCAC : Buhari returns to Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night returned to Abuja after attending the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation ( FOCAC ) in Beijing.

    During the six-day visit to China, Buhari held bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of some agreements between Nigeria and China in the areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the economy.

    He also participated in the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese and African leaders and business representatives.

    At the FOCAC meeting, Buhari expressed the appreciation of ECOWAS member states for China’s increasing investment in the sub-region with the aim of building a prosperous and shared future.

    He noted that China was the largest investor in the sub-region in both private and public sectors, covering areas, such as infrastructure development in energy, agriculture, mining and healthcare.

    According to him, China also provides significant assistance in emergency humanitarian aid and response to climate change for Africa.

    Buhari at the FOCAC Round Table on Tuesday, attended by African leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping, said Nigeria’s partnership with China through FOCAC had resulted in the execution of vital infrastructure projects worth over five billion dollars.

    Read Also: FOCAC: Nigeria has benefited over $5b projects – Buhari

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who was part of the president’s entourage to China, reported that Buhari won the crucial support of Jinping, for Nigeria’s aspiration to build the 3050 Megawatts Mambilla hydro-power project.

    He revealed that Nigeria and China also signed the agreement of 328 million dollars for the Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase II (NICTIB II) project.

    The concessional loan agreement between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Kemi Adesoun and Wang Xiaotoa, Director-General, International Development Agency of China.

    The presidential aide disclosed that Nigeria and China also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR).

    In Beijing, Buhari also received assurances from the Joint Venture Partners handling the 3050 Megawatts Mambilla Hydro-power Plant of which arrangements had reached advance stage for the commencement of work early in 2019.

    Buhari received the assurance when he was briefed on time lines for the commencement of work at a meeting with Prof. Lyu Ze Xiang, the President of CGCC, the company handling the project.

    The president, at separate meetings with prospective Chinese investors on the sidelines of FOCAC, assured existing and prospective Chinese investors of high-level support for their investment plans in Nigeria.

    The president, at an interactive session with the Nigerian community in China on Saturday, had given assurance that as “a beneficiary of free and fair elections, I’m not afraid of a credible process in 2019.’’

    To this effect, the president reaffirmed his commitment to making sure that the 2019 polls would be free, fair and credible.

    Buhari pledged that Nigerians eligible to vote in the general elections would be allowed to freely elect candidates of their choices.

  • 2019: I’m not afraid of free, fair elections, Says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in Beijing, China said that as a beneficiary of free and fair elections, he is not afraid of a credible process in 2019.

    He made the remark during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in China,

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also reaffirmed his commitment to making sure that the 2019 polls, under his watch, will be free, fair and credible.

    He pledged that Nigerians eligible to vote in the next general elections will be allowed to freely elect candidates of their choice.

    He said ‘‘I have no fear about free and fair elections because that is what brought me to the present position. I know what I went through and very few Nigerians could boast of trying four times [contesting for the presidency].

    ‘‘Those interested in participating in the elections must get their PVCs, register in their constituency and elect anybody of their choice across ethnicity and religion.

    ‘‘The Nigerian police, law enforcement agencies and INEC must respect the people to express their wishes,’’ he said.

    Citing recent elections in Bauchi, Katsina and Kogi States, the President said the country had made progress relative to elections conducted in the past years.

    On security issues, the President reaffirmed that his government has succeeded in curtailing Boko Haram insurgents in the country, adding that the terrorist group no longer controls any part of the country.

    He attributed the success to operations of security agencies deployed to counter insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country.

    ‘‘You will all recall that we contested the last election basically on three issues, which includes security, especially in the North East.

    ‘‘The Boko Haram used to occupy quite a number of local governments in Borno State but they are not in anyone now. They have resorted to a very dangerous way of terrorism by indoctrinating young people, mostly girls and attacking soft targets, churches, mosques and marketplaces,’’ he said.

    On herders and farmers clashes in Nigeria, the President told Nigerians in the Diaspora that while security agencies are doing their best to curtail the clashes, the Nigerian media need to complement the efforts through objective and informed reportage.

    He appealed to the Nigerian media to make an attempt at understanding the cultural and historical implications of some of the misunderstanding between herders and farmers.

    ‘‘To my disappointment there are a number of things which the members of the press in Nigeria do not make enough efforts, in my observation, to study the historical antecedents of issues that are creating national problems for us.’’ he said

    According to him, due to the effects of climate change, a farm that used to belong to 5 people now belong to 50 people, the weather condition, particularly the rainy season is now unpredictable.

    The President partly blamed the farmer’s herders’ controversy on the shrinking of the Lake Chad, which has forced many cattle nomads to seek greener pastures for their herds in other parts of the country.

    On Nigeria-China relations, the President applauded China’s generosity and contribution to the development of Nigeria, citing the successful completion of the Abuja-Kaduna railway line, built by the Chinese, and ongoing works on Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Abuja, Kano railway routes.

    He said Nigeria and China are also negotiating on the Mambilla project.

    President Buhari advised Nigerians planning to travel abroad for ‘‘greener pastures’’ to do so legitimately and not to expect too much from their countries of destination.

    ‘‘You cannot seek greener pastures in a place where you are not respected because of the colour of your skin or your lack of education or other things. Personally, I think you will earn more respect when you remain at home and get a job,’’ he said

    On Nigeria-China relations, the President applauded China’s generosity and contribution to the development of Nigeria, citing the successful completion of the Abuja-Kaduna railway line, built by the Chinese, and ongoing works on Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Abuja, Kano railway routes.

  • Buhari for FOCAC summit in China September

    Also to attend United Nations General Assembly next month 

     

    Barring last minute change, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to join world leaders in Beijing, China for the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) first week of September.

    The Chinese President Xi Jinping is to chair the Forum scheduled for September 3rd to 4th in Beijing.

    The summit will be themed “China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation.”

    Apart from African leaders, representatives of related regional organizations in Africa and international organizations will also participate in relevant activities of the summit.

    Objectives of FOCAC include equal consultation, enhancing understanding, expanding consensus, strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation between African countries and China.

    The FOCAC follow-up mechanisms are built at three levels: The Ministerial Conference is held every three years; the Senior Officials Follow-up Meeting and the Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting for the Ministerial Conference are held respectively in the year and a few days before the Ministerial Conference is held.

    Read Also: Buhari hails security men

    The consultations between the African Diplomatic Corps in China and the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee are held at least twice a year, while the Ministerial Conference and the Senior Officials Meeting are held alternately in China and an African country, with China and the African host being co-chairs presiding over the meetings and taking lead in implementing the outcomes of the meetings.

    The Ministerial Conference is attended by foreign ministers and ministers in charge of international economic cooperation, and the Senior Officials Meeting by director-general level officials of the competent departments of China and African countries.

    President Buhari is also billed to attend the United Nations General Assembly in the United States also in September.

  • Chinese media accuse U.S. of ‘mobster mentality

    Chinese state media on Thursday accused the U.S. of a “mobster mentality” in its move to implement additional tariffs on Chinese goods, and warned Beijing had all the necessary means to fight back.

    The comments mark a ratcheting up in tensions between the world’s two largest economies over a trade dispute.

    The trade dispute has already impacting industries ranging from steel to cars and causing unease over which products could be targeted next.

    Read Also: Standard Gauge: Work begins on Ebute-Meta modern train station

    Beijing had on Wednesday said it would slap additional tariffs of 25 per cent on 16 billion dollars worth of U.S. imports, in retaliation to news the U.S. plans to begin collecting 25 per cent extra in tariffs on 16 billion dollars of Chinese goods from Aug. 23.

    “The two countries’ trade conflict, which is merely push and shove at the moment, is likely to escalate into more than just a scuffle if the U.S. administration cannot marshal its mobster mentality.

    “China continues to do its utmost to avoid a trade war, but in the face of the U.S.’s ever greater demand for protection money, China has no choice but to fight back,” state newspaper China Daily said.

    So far, China has now either imposed or proposed tariffs on 110 billion dollars of U.S. goods, representing the vast majority of its annual imports of American products. Big-ticket U.S. items that are still not on any list are crude oil and large aircraft.

    “China has confidence in protecting its own interests, has many means,” state broadcaster CCTV said on its early morning news show.

    Another commentary, written by China Institute of International Studies research fellow Jia Xiudong said the U.S. was trying to “suppress China’s development”.

    “China should consider “unconventional methods” such as the stimulus plan used by Beijing during the global financial crisis if needed to sustain economic growth, the Global Times newspaper said in a commentary.

  • Beijing Summit will strengthen Nigeria-China relations, says envoy

    The Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Lin Jing, has said the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, scheduled for September in Beijing would strengthen Nigeria-China bilateral relations.

    Jing, who made the statement on Friday in Abuja at a roundtable on the summit said that the event would consolidate the agenda of the Belt and Road initiative.

    Belt and Road is a massive trade and infrastructure project that aims at linking China with dozens of economies across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Oceania.

    According to Jing, the FOCAC summit would bring Chinese and African leaders together to discuss China-Africa cooperation in the new era.

    He said that the leaders would focus on jointly advancing the Belt and Road initiative and turning China and Africa into a community with a shared future.

    “By aligning the Belt and Road initiative with UN-s 2013 agenda, the AU 2063 and development strategies of individual African countries.

    “We will give wing to China-Africa cooperation to develop at an accelerated pace.

    “We firmly believe the forthcoming summit is bound to be great success which will deliver bountiful benefits for both Chinese and African peoples.”

    The envoy added that the initiative would provide a new opportunity to synergize China and Nigeria development strategies.

    “In our new endeavour to build a global community with a shared future, Africa is an indispensable partner,” he said.

    The Desk Officer for Asia-Pacific in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aminu Abdulhameel, noted that Nigeria-China diplomatic relations had been on for 47 years.

    “There have been many attempts by both governments to consolidate this relationship.

    “We believe in foreign affairs that Road and Belt initiative under FOCAC is going to provide avenue for the relationship to be further strengthened.

    “We will ensure that China and Nigeria relationship is taken to a better height. The summit will provide an avenue for Africa and China come together to further strengthen relationship,” he said

    Mr Simon Ileuma, the Deputy Director International Cooperation in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, said that China had played a key role in the development of Nigeria’s economy.

    He said that the Chinese government had been supportive to the Nigerian economy and that Nigerians should explore the opportunity provided by the forthcoming FOCAC. (NAN)

  • China criticises U.S. over Taiwan travel bill

    China criticises U.S. over Taiwan travel bill

    China on Thursday expressed its disapproval with the United States over a bill passed by the U.S. Senate seeking closer ties with Taiwan.

    “Although the bill is not legally binding, China strongly and resolutely opposes it and has lodged formal protests with Washington,’’ Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hua Chunying, said.

    The bill, passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, allows U.S. officials at all levels to travel to Taiwan for meetings.

    It also permits high-level Taiwanese officials to enter the U.S. “under respectful conditions’’ to meet with their U.S. counterparts.

    Read Also:  China Devt Bank, UBA sign $100m loan for SMEs in Africa

    Report says the legislation now only needs U.S. President Donald Trump’s signature.

    Beijing, through its “One China’’ policy, prevents other nations from having formal ties with self-governing Taiwan, which it regards as a breakaway province.

    The spat came amid rising trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

    Top Chinese economic advisor Liu He is currently in Washington, reportedly to avert a trade war between the two countries.

    NAN

  • China waives visas for 53 countries

    China waives visas for 53 countries

    China, on Thursday waived visas for visitors from 53 countries  to Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei for up to six days.

    People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party, said that visitors must enter and exit from one of six ports.

    According to the Economic Times, the waiver goes into effect from Thursday and will impact Germany and other members of the European Union’s passport-free Schengen area, as well as the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Argentina.

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    Beijing, the capital of China, is a major tourist hub as the home of the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and other important historical monuments.

    Beijing and Tianjin previously allowed visa-free travel for up to 72 hours for certain nationalities.

    The same arrangement continues in 16 other cities, including Shanghai.

    Shenzhen, on the border of Hong Kong, also issues a special five-day visa on arrival for some nationalities.

    NAN