The Nation Newspaper

Tag: china

  • China unveils obesity diagnosis, treatment guidelines

    China unveils obesity diagnosis, treatment guidelines

    China’s National Health Commission has released its first set of guidelines aimed at standardising the diagnosis and treatment of obesity.

    Over past years, China had witnessed an upward trend in the morbidity rate of its overweight and obese population, according to the guidelines issued by the commission.

    As an independent disease and a major causative factor for multiple chronic diseases, obesity has become a major public health issue in China, it said.

    It is ranking as the sixth leading risk factor for death and disability in the country, the guidelines added.

    Read Also: 15 jailed for deadly building collapse in China

    They provide detailed guidance and regulations in the areas of clinical nutrition, medication therapy, surgical treatment, behavioral and psychological intervention.

    Other regulations includes exercise intervention for obesity, ensuring the safety and quality of medical care while protecting the health rights of patients, said Zhang Zhongtao, director of the guideline drafting committee.

    Experts emphasise that most overweight and obese cases are caused by unhealthy lifestyles.

    The fundamental solution is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and appropriate exercise to keep weight within the limit. (Xinhua/NAN)

  • 15 jailed for deadly building collapse in China

    15 jailed for deadly building collapse in China

    A total of 15 people were sentenced to prison in central China’s Hunan Province on Thursday for their roles in a deadly building collapse that claimed 54 lives in 2022.

    The defendants, including the owner of the illegally built and extended building and officials found of dereliction of duty, received jail terms ranging from two years and nine months to 12 years.

    This is according to their first-instance verdicts by local courts.

    The incident occurred in Wangcheng District in the provincial capital of Changsha on April 29, 2022, leaving 54 dead and nine wounded.

    The State Council set up an investigation team to look into the incident shortly after it occurred.

    Wu Zhiyong, the owner of the building, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for negligence leading to the incident.

    He had hired unqualified construction workers to illegally construct and extend the building, which he then leased as an accommodation and catering venue, according to the verdict.

    Read Also: IMF chief hails China’s commitment to climate goals

    In spite of clear signs of the building’s imminent collapse, Wu failed to organise emergency evacuations, resulting in heavy casualties.

    He was also convicted of conspiring with others to repeatedly destroy other people’s property, the verdict showed.

    Zhou Zhengmao, former deputy head of Wangcheng District, was handed a jail term of 12 years for dereliction of duty and accepting bribes.

    Others convicted include inspectors from urban management and market regulation departments, as well as shareholders and testing personnel from a company that issued fake documents for the building project.

    The company, Hunan Xiangda Engineering Testing Co., Ltd., was fined one million yuan (about 140,400 dollars).

    Lawmakers, political advisors and relatives of the victims and defendants attended the sentencing. (dpa/NAN)

  • Behind China’s efficient evacuation: Great power responsibility, national strength

    Behind China’s efficient evacuation: Great power responsibility, national strength

    There’s a saying circulating on the Chinese internet: when China evacuates its citizens from a region, it’s a sign that war is really imminent. As the conflict between Israel and Lebanon intensifies, China has already organized two waves of evacuation efforts. Within just two or three days, over 200 Chinese citizens were successfully evacuated from Lebanon.

    Moreover, this time China not only evacuated its citizens, including those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as a limited number of foreign nationals at the request of friendly countries, but it also allowed them to bring foreign family members. This reflects China’s responsibility as a major power and its humanitarian spirit.

    Allowing citizens to evacuate with foreign family members is a practice that actually began after the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted. Many Chinese men are known for their sense of responsibility and would never abandon their wives and children. So, after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated, many Chinese people fled westward toward Europe with their foreign wives and children. Once the Chinese government became aware of this situation, it began allowing citizens to bring their family members during evacuations.

    Behind China’s efficient and inclusive evacuation efforts is its strong sense of responsibility as a major power and its national strength. When regional conflicts escalate, the Chinese government actively contacts the parties involved in the conflict to exert pressure, demanding the safe evacuation of its citizens. It allocates manpower, resources, and funds to charter planes to conflict zones to bring citizens to safety. Through concrete actions, China shows its citizens that their safety and rights are protected by a powerful nation.

    In stark contrast to China’s efficiency and responsibility is the approach of some Western countries. For example, the U.S., which often criticizes other countries on issues of “democracy” and “human rights,” not only asked Americans in Lebanon to buy their own tickets to leave but also offered loan services to those who couldn’t afford the fare.

    Although there are indeed many Americans in Lebanon—about 80,000—the U.S. government’s lackluster attitude toward evacuation has left many of its citizens feeling disheartened. No wonder an American commented under related news articles: “So it’s not enough to kill Lebanese citizens with our tax dollars, now we’re killing Americans too?”

    Read Also: ‘Robust partnerships between Nigeria, China’

    This contrast illustrates the difference in how various countries treat their citizens. China’s evacuation efforts not only reassure every Chinese citizen that their country is a strong backing but also sends a message to every country friendly with China: China has the strength to help its friends out of danger.

    For many Third World countries, this serves as a lesson: maintaining good relations with China can often bring unexpected benefits.

  • ‘Robust partnerships between Nigeria, China’

    ‘Robust partnerships between Nigeria, China’

    Newly appointed Director-General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe, has outlined as a priority, the need for cohesion in the delivery of mutually beneficial initiatives for the two countries.

    Tegbe expressed his confidence that a cohesive partnership will not only ensure Nigeria meets her immediate needs but also lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity in the country.

    He spoke while hosting a delegation from the Chinese Business Community.

    Tegbe said: “In line with President Tinubu’s commitment for China to move from being a lender and trade partner to becoming a major partner in Nigeria’s industrialisation drive, I will work diligently to foster bilateral collaborations with China that can drive sustainable development and economic growth for Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Nigeria, China sign $3.3bn deal for industrial park

    He further emphasised the role of education and skills development in the partnership, stating that: “It is crucial for Nigeria’s national curriculum to promote vocational training and exchange programs.

    “Beyond degrees and diplomas, Nigeria must create opportunities for young Nigerians to develop the skills needed in a rapidly evolving job market.”

  • COMMEMORATING 75 YEARS OF CHINA’S PROGRESS: REFLECTIONS AND SHARED STORIES

    COMMEMORATING 75 YEARS OF CHINA’S PROGRESS: REFLECTIONS AND SHARED STORIES

    By Dr. Muhammad Bulama 

    As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it is essential to reflect on the remarkable journey China has undertaken. On behalf of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of China for this historic milestone. China’s development story is nothing short of inspirational, and as I reflect on my recent visit to the country, I am reminded of the importance of shared stories in fostering stronger ties between nations.

    A Personal Journey to China

    In October 2023, I had the distinct honor of accompanying Nigeria’s Vice President, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, on an official visit to China. The visit was more than just a diplomatic mission; it was an opportunity to witness firsthand the strides China has made in technology, infrastructure, and international collaboration. From Beijing to Shanghai, what stood out was not just the towering skyscrapers or the state-of-the-art transport systems but the sense of purpose and unity that drives China’s progress.

    Our visit highlighted the ever-growing bond between Africa and China, one built on mutual respect and a shared vision for development. For decades, China has been a reliable partner for Africa, particularly Nigeria. From infrastructure projects to healthcare initiatives, the benefits of this collaboration are visible across the continent. During my stay, I was particularly moved by the commitment to deepening these relationships, with both sides emphasizing the need for more robust people-to-people exchanges.

    Strengthening Media Cooperation

    One of the highlights of this year’s China-Africa Cooperation Forum was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the FRCN and the China Media Group (CMG). This agreement marks a new chapter in the collaboration between our media institutions, setting the stage for significant advancements in media technology, training, and content production. We are at the cusp of a media revolution, and I firmly believe that Nigeria, alongside China, can play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative for a more inclusive and balanced global media landscape.

    This MOU also symbolizes a commitment to mutual learning. Chinese media has made impressive strides in leveraging new technologies to tell their story to the world. Nigeria’s media can learn from this experience, especially in content creation, distribution, and digital transformation. By working together, we can develop a media ecosystem that respects our diverse cultures while promoting shared values of progress and cooperation.

    Yunzhong Jinshu: Finding Stories That Matter

    The China Media Group’s initiative, Yunzhong Jinshu (meaning “Golden Stories in the Clouds”), is a perfect example of how media can transcend borders. This event seeks to find and record meaningful stories that reflect China’s global impact. African media, including FRCN, has a responsibility to adopt similar initiatives—to document the stories that show our nations’ interconnectedness.

    Yunzhong Jinshu is a testament to how media can shape perceptions and bring people closer. During the event, I saw how stories of individuals, once hidden in the vast expanse of africa Continental, were brought to the forefront. These stories are not only inspiring but serve as bridges connecting diverse cultures. African media can emulate this by focusing on stories of Africans who have benefited from partnerships with China, whether in education, business, or technology.

    Shared Responsibility and Mission

    As we look to the future, African media has a critical role to play in documenting and sharing the stories of Africa’s growth in collaboration with China. Our responsibility extends beyond merely reporting the news; we must be the custodians of our shared histories, ensuring that future generations understand the significance of our ties.

    The shared mission between Nigerian media and CMG is clear: to build a platform that tells authentic stories while embracing technological innovation. The recent advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and big data provide us with tools to make our storytelling more immersive and impactful. Through these tools, we can bring our stories to the world and challenge the stereotypes that often define African and Chinese narratives in global media.

     Looking Ahead

    As we celebrate China’s 75th anniversary, we must also celebrate the China-Africa friendship that has stood the test of time. Our media collaboration, especially with institutions like CMG, will continue to evolve, allowing us to not only tell our stories but also shape the global narrative. The bonds forged between China and Africa through media cooperation will become even stronger as we continue to learn from one another and innovate together.

    May the stories we continue to share inspire future generations, strengthen our ties, and lead us to even greater achievements.

    Dr. Muhammad Bulama is the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)

  • Africa finds steadfast friend in China

    Africa finds steadfast friend in China

    • By By Yi Xin

    Some international development partners talk about Africa as if it were a problem to be fixed. So they write prescriptions – “change this and that and you will be better.”

    But Africa is not a problem.

    Africa is a promise. To deliver on this promise, Africans must act together. A deep appreciation of this is what makes China’s Africa policy fundamentally different from that of many others.

    It started early.

    In the 1960s, shortly after leading their nations to independence, the great African statesmen Julius Nyerere and Kenneth Kaunda saw an urgent need to connect their countries with a railway. But funding was hard to come by. Western donors said no on the grounds that the proposal was neither economically nor politically attractive. But Mao Zedong, the Chinese leader, was resolute, and said: “You have difficulties. We do too. But our difficulties are different. China will help you build it, and if need be, we will put our own railway projects on hold.”

    China extended zero-interest, zero-condition loans, took out huge sums from its limited foreign exchange reserve to buy the best machines from the West, and sent Chinese engineers to the wilderness in Africa and unreservedly shared technical know-how.

    It was one of the earliest endeavors to connect and unite Africans to encourage development. Africans call it the “Freedom Railway,” an indication of how much hope was attached to it.

    As Africa continued to build synergy, China actively aligned its policy toward the same goal. In 2002, African nations’ aspirations for brotherhood and solidarity gave birth to the African Union. Two years earlier, China had launched the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the world’s first format to bring African countries under one roof to map out development strategies and cooperation plans.

    Under this framework, the Chinese zoomed in on connecting Africa. The roads they built in Africa, a staggering 100,000 km, are more than twice that of Earth’s waistline. The railways, over 10,000 km in combined length, can take one from Ras ben Sakka in Tunisia, Africa’s most northerly point, to its southernmost Cape Agulhas in South Africa.

    Read Also: Speaker Obasa celebrates First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at 64

    Besides asphalt and tracks, the Chinese have worked hard to nurture local industries. For a long time, African countries have been kept at the lower end of the value chain. Their economic structures are highly similar. Seeing the untapped manufacturing potential, China set out to build factories and industrial parks. “Industrial capacity cooperation” is a dominant topic in Chinese engagement with Africa. As China-Africa partnerships mushroom in this sector, African countries are now selling glass fibers to their neighbors and buying TV sets made in the region.

    On a deeper level, China constantly encourages the strengthening of an African awareness. Ask any Chinese leader how Africa may apply China’s approach, and the answer invariably is: Think in terms of your own reality.

    A few days ago, African leaders gathered with their Chinese friends for the fourth Forum on FOCAC summit. There, China’s approach of promoting African synergy to unlock its potential is again on full display.

    According to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s newly proposed “ten partnership actions,” China will implement another 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, foster industry cooperation growth clusters, develop a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development, assist the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and provide more support in logistics and finance for the benefit of “trans-regional development in Africa.”

    Once these plans are actualized, as the Chinese always do with meticulous follow-up actions and progress checks, Africa is sure to be more interconnected and integrated. Hence, the new-found meaning of the FOCAC acronym — Friendship, Opportunity, Cooperation, Action, and Community.

    Strength comes from unity, not alienation. This is an underlying belief that informs China’s diplomacy around the world. In China-U.S. relations, you see China push for mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. Globally, China’s central message has been: Humanity is one community with a shared future.

    Africa is on an irreversible course toward modernization. To empower this process, partners who see potential, not problems in it would go a long way.

  • China urges developed countries to take responsibility

    China urges developed countries to take responsibility

    The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, yesterday urged developed countries to take responsibility regarding climate change.

     Dunhai spoke in Abuja at a “Seminar on taking new opportunities for China – Nigeria cooperation in deepening reform in the new era.”

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    Yu said it was unfair for developed nations to transfer the burden of developments on developing countries, especially climate change and other challenges caused as a result of industrialisation.

    The government envoy said China became among the top economies by adopting people centered approach and lifting 800 million people out of poverty over the past 70 years.

  • Implementation of China, Nigeria agreements remains my priority, says Chinese envoy

    Implementation of China, Nigeria agreements remains my priority, says Chinese envoy

    …says Tinubu’s visit unique

    The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, on Friday, September 13, said his priority is to ensure the implementation of the 13 agreements signed between his country and Nigeria.

    Dunhai spoke on the backdrop of President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to China and the cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

    He stressed that Tinubu’s visit opened a new era in China and Nigeria’s bilateral relations.

    He also revealed that with the upgrade of bilateral relations, there would be an increase in activities between both countries.

    He said: “During President Tinubu’s visit, the relevant government departments of the two sides signed a total of 13 cooperation documents, covering such areas as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation planning, the implementation of the global development initiative, economic growth, human resources, application of Beidou Satellite Navigation System, export of peanuts to China, and the media exchanges.

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    “Among them, one of the bilateral cooperation documents covers around 19 projects that China and Nigeria are cooperating and intend to cooperate with. In addition, multiple cooperation arrangements were signed between relevant departments, state governments, and Chinese companies during the visit.”

    On ensuring the implementation of the 13 China-Nigeria agreements, MOU, the envoy said: “That is exactly my mission and task. That is my priority. From the Chinese side, the two sides signed 13 cooperative documents. I believe it’s much more than that, because there are other cooperative documents signed, not between the department to department, but between department to company.

    “So I think the two sides, we are going to follow through with all those side documents. I’m sure that I’m going to be very busy, and the people here in Abuja are going to be very busy, and maybe in Lagos, and in many other states, because there are going to be a lot of incoming visiting delegations from China.

    “And I’m sure that there are going to be a lot of outbound delegations from Nigeria to China. I think the only purpose is to try to materialize, to translate the consensus reached by our two presidents, the documents that we signed, into reality. So I have a lot of work to do, and I think that’s also the responsibility of our two sides.

    “So as ambassador, I’m certainly looking forward to working with all sectors, and to materialising all those cooperative documents.

    “So as the new Chinese ambassador, I look forward to working with people from all walks of life to bring China-Nigeria relations to a new height.”

    He stressed that President Tinubu’s visit to China is of great significance to build on past successes and to further advance China-Nigeria relations and China-Africa relations.

    He added: “China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Nigeria in multilateral affairs, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.

    “Going forward, we will work closely with all sectors of Nigeria to implement the important consensus reached by our two countries and ensure that we translate the consensus between our two leaders into concrete actions to move forward for upgrading bilateral cooperation.”

    Speaking on the upgrade of China-Nigeria relations, Dunhai said it means that China and Nigeria are going to be more closely knit together, we are going to support even stronger each other’s core interests, and we are going to cooperate more in all areas.

    “So that’s why I believe that this visit is unique, is historical, and also I personally feel that this is a great success.

    “So I’m sure that with this visit, it’s going to provide us with a huge potential to increase our trade values,” he said

  • China trip: Gains and vistas of opportunities

    China trip: Gains and vistas of opportunities

    • By Dada Olusegun

    President Bola Tinubu last Friday rounded off his official visit to China with very significant and mouth-watering gains for Nigeria. It was obvious that the president was looking forward to a trip heavy on deals that would impact on Nigeria’s quest to improve our infrastructure, agriculture, power, solid minerals etc. judging by the public officials in his official entourage.

    From the Finance Minister/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Trade and Investment, Minister of Solid Minerals, Minister of Power, FCT Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister of Transportation, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Minister of Information and National Orientation, Minister of Foreign Affairs etc, to the governors of Lagos, Kaduna and Kwara states, the president’s entourage was tailored for purpose.

     Completion of Lagos-Kano Railway

    Shortly after being warmly received by the Chinese government, President Bola Tinubu on Monday, September 2, visited the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), during which he acknowledged the company’s role as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme, commending its ongoing railway projects in the country. President Tinubu right there at the headquarters of CRCC promised that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway segments will be completed and done to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large. Already China is providing funding through the China Development Bank for the ongoing Kaduna-Kano section of the Lagos-Kano railway project. The Ibadan-Abuja section is set to be funded by the Chinese too, thanks to renewed cooperation between Nigeria and China on the Belt and Road Initiative.

    After the visit to CRCC headquarters in Beijing, President Tinubu also visited the Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved communities in Nigeria. Chairman of Huawei’s Board of Directors, Liang Hua said that the initiative would operate in 10 states annually, training at least 3,000 students each year. Huawei also proposed to build two major technology data storage centres in Lagos and Kaduna states, which would create employment and opportunities for more young people in Nigeria.

    President Bola Tinubu held a high-powered bilateral meeting with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, September 3. At the bilateral meeting, the two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership from just a strategic partnership, signalling deeper ties between the world’s second most populous nation and the most populous black nation on earth.

    Read Also: Fed govt to leverage technology to boost education sector

    At the bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, several bilateral MoUs were signed on the Belt and Road co-operation plan (promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative), economic development, application of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, nuclear energy, peanut exports to China, and news media, among other fields.

    The belt and road MoU is particularly very crucial as it further solidifies China’s interest to continue to invest in infrastructural projects in Nigeria especially on railways and roads/bridges. The cooperation agreement on nuclear energy is equally important as it is meant to enhance Nigeria’s capability to harness nuclear technology for electricity and also utilization in medicine.

    The MoU on export of shelled peanuts is very important for our agricultural and Nigeria’s quest to increase non-oil exports. It also signals China’s readiness to buy more processed or semi-processed goods from Nigeria. Already, with a trade volume of over $23 billion, Nigeria is China’s second largest trading partner in Africa. With huge potentials for even more trade, Nigeria can surpass South Africa as China’s largest trade partner on the continent.

    The president then joined other African leaders to participate in the Forum for Africa-China Cooperation. At the forum, the next chapter of Tinubu’s trip unfolded. On the side-lines of the conference, more MoUs were signed by ministers and governors.

    Gas-related projects

    The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) witnessed the signing of critical Project Agreements for the Brass Industrial Park, Gas Gathering Pipelines & Associated Facilities, and the Methanol Complex Project between Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Ltd. (BFPCL) and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

    This partnership involving three key projects has the potential to inject about $3.3 billion into Nigeria’s economy and particularly driving growth and innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector. These projects are very pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth and energy security. This is a big win for Nigeria.

    Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake also witnessed the signing of an MoU between Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited of Nigeria and its Chinese counterpart, Sinomach-Hea, a market leader in solid minerals development. The deal is for a $1 billion new iron-ore-to-steel project planned for Kogi State, which has abundant deposits of iron ore and home to the Ajaokuta Steel complex. The Nigerian company, Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited already has a mining license approved by the Cadastal Office and needed both a proven technical and financial partner and thanks to President Bola Tinubu’s trip to China, it has gotten a partner in Sinomach-Hea.

    Still on the side-lines of FOCAC and with the full guarantee of the federal government, Lagos State government signed a monumental Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to deliver the ambitious Green Line metro rail project in Lagos. The Green Line, which is a 68km rail line designed to run from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina and connecting with the Blue Line at Marina is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, rising to over a million eventually.

    The Green line is expected to transform the transport landscape of Lagos as it will complement the Blue and Red Lines and link areas such as Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, etc. The federal government’s Ministry of Finance Incorporated and CHEC would be involved in the design, financing, and construction.

    The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu earlier signed an MoU with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the construction of the Lekki-Epe link bridge in the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos. With the MoU in place, Lagos state has commenced discussions to award the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to CCECC with feasibility and design studies for the bridge already completed.

    During the FOCAC summit in China, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike was also on hand to sign an MoU with CCECC for the provision and installation of solar street lighting in key areas in the FCT such as Maitaima, Asokoro, Wuse, Central Business District, Airport Road. The minister also signed another MoU with China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) for water works including the completion of the Abuja Water Works project and for extension of clean water supply to Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje areas of the FCT. CGCOC also signed MoU on solar street lighting and would cover Mabushi, Katampe and Garki.

    From the foregoing, it is apparent that President Bola Tinubu’s China visit was carefully planned to bring home greater infrastructural development for Nigeria. Judging by the five focal infrastructure developmental agreements signed between Nigeria and China, Tinubu’s state visit to China and his participation in the FOCAC summit was a resounding success. These agreements would translate to better transport infrastructure for Nigerians, greater gas utilisation by industries, and open doors for value addition in our solid minerals sector in line with the anti-mine-to-ports policy of the Tinubu administration in the solid minerals sector.

    All these mean more jobs, increased productivity, more external trade, more forex earnings and of course increased prosperity for Nigerians. During the trip, President Bola Tinubu did not fail to interact with the Nigeria diaspora community in China. He spoke passionately to his fellow compatriots sojourning in China, explaining to them why his administration is taking the hard decisions necessary to reset Nigeria’s economy and place it on the path of sustainable development.

    •Dada is Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media.

  • Nigeria, China agree on financial intelligence cooperation to fight money laundering

    Nigeria, China agree on financial intelligence cooperation to fight money laundering

    …promise to deepen cooperation on infrastructure connectivity

    Nigeria and China have agreed to enhance international cooperation on financial intelligence to fight money laundering and other financial crimes.

    According to a joint statement issued by both nations, the agreement aims to support Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard the order of its financial and foreign exchange markets and crack down on financial crimes.

    The joint statement was made on Tuesday after a meeting of leaders of both countries; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing.

    President Tinubu is in China on the invitation of President Xi for a state visit, which will be followed by the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

    The joint statement detailed the critical components of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership achieved through several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed by both nations during the meeting on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Nigeria, China sign five landmark agreements in Beijing

    In addition to financial intelligence cooperation, both countries have agreed to deepen cooperation on infrastructure connectivity, with China pledging to support Nigeria’s domestic infrastructure construction, including transportation, ports, and free trade zones.

    The joint statement also highlighted the importance of regional and monetary cooperation, encouraging flexible and diverse cooperation such as local currency swaps to facilitate trade between China and Nigeria and contribute to global financial stability.

    Furthermore, both nations agreed to support Nigeria’s geographical and development advantage in West Africa to establish Africa’s flagship projects on cross-national and cross-regional cooperation.

    “The two sides agree to deepen cooperation on the infrastructure connectivity between the two countries. China proactively supports Nigeria in developing its domestic infrastructure construction, including transportation, ports and free trade zones, towards achieving integrated development and connectivity for industries.

    “The two sides will make joint efforts to fully support Nigeria’s geographical and development advantage in West Africa to establish Africa’s flagship projects on cross-national and cross-regional cooperation.

    “The two sides encourage flexible and diverse regional and monetary and financial cooperation such as local currency swaps, to facilitate trade between China and Nigeria and make contributions to global financial stability.

    “The two countries agree to carry out international cooperation on financial intelligence on anti-monetary laundering/ countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and support Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard the order of its financial and foreign exchange markets and to crack down on financial crimes, including money laundering”, the statement said.

    This enhanced cooperation is expected to strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and China, while also promoting financial stability and security in the region.