The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Peoples Republic of China

  • 48 students win Chinese scholarship

    Forty-eight students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka also known as UNIZIK have benefitted from the yearly scholarship scheme of the Peoples Republic of China.

    The scholarship was handed over to the students by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian at the auditorium of the institution.

    Speaking at the occasion, Pingjian congratulated the beneficiaries, describing their institution as African champion in terms of learning of Chinese language and culture through the Confucius Institute.

    He said four per cent of China’s Gross Domestic Product was budgeted to education, which he said, had reduced the illiteracy level of the country from 80 per cent in 1949 to three per cent presently.

    He said: “The scholarship is part of commemoration of October which is a special month for both China and Nigeria which began their life that month and also the month of the birth of the Vice Chancellor of the university.”

    Responding, UNIZIK Vice chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku commended the ambassador for the gesture, say

  • China awards scholarships to 47 Edo students

    The People’s Republic of China has awarded scholarships to 47 indigenous of Edo studying in universities in the state.

    It said the scholarships was to commemorate the number of years China and Nigeria has enjoyed good diplomatic relations.

    This is just as Governor Godwin Obaseki promised to revive the State Scholarship board for the purpose of awarding scholarships and payment of bursaries to indigent students.

    Institutions that benefitted from the award are Edo University, Iyamho, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and the University of Benin.

    Best students were selected from some departments.

    Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, who presented the awards to the students, said it was a clear demonstration that China and Nigeria can achieve many things together.

    Read Also:NDDC Resumes Post-Graduate Foreign Scholarship Programme

    Dr. Pingjian described Nigeria and China as a community of a shared future.

    Pingjian stated that there has been a rise in areas of cooperation between both countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

    He noted that both countries have achieved remarkable progress which he said was demonstrated during the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2016

    The Chinese Ambassador said both countries have reached consensus to deepen China-Nigeria strategic partnership across board adding that the relationship entered herald a new stage of raid development.

    According to him, “Nigeria and China enjoys a lot of similarities and I couldn’t agree more when people say Nigeria and China share similarities. You can imagine how great it will be if we work more together and take advantage of the population we both have as a country.

    “China diplomatic ties with Nigeria are that of brotherliness especially since the establishment of ties between the two countries in 1971.

    “Again, China diplomatic ties with Africa countries have seen a steady rise, also since the setting up of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in 2000.

    “In 2000, China trade with Africa was only $10 billion, but today, it is 17 times larger than that figure; similarly, China investment in Africa was only $500 million, but today, it is more than $10 billion investment.

    “FOCAC has become a model in South South Cooperation; we can build a better future and make the difference through a win-win Cooperation.”

    Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor, of the University of Benin, Prof Faraday Orumwense, represented by the Deputy Vice chancellor, (administration), Prof Jacob Ehiorobo, urged the students to study hard.

    He told the students they were selected based on their academic performance.

  • Buhari signs bilateral air services agreements with Algeria, China, others 

    Buhari signs bilateral air services agreements with Algeria, China, others 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja, signed the Instruments of Ratification of the Bilateral Air Services Agreements between the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Governments of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria; the Republic of Congo; the People’s Republic of China; the State of Qatar and the Republic of Singapore.

    It followed the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting,

    With the execution of these Instruments, a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that Nigeria’s aviation links with the respective countries are expected to improve significantly.

  • Buhari approves Mambila power project, 40 yrs after

    Buhari approves Mambila power project, 40 yrs after

    President Muhammadu Buhari at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council(FEC) meeting, approved the award of the contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 3050 MW Mambila Hydro Electric Power Project, thus reflecting his strong commitment to the development of infrastructure in the country.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola speaking on the Mambila project, said  “it will have a transformational effect on all of Nigeria’s socio-economic development. During its construction and upon completion, and subsequent operation, it will have considerable positive impact on electricity supply nationwide, productivity, employment, tourism, technology transfer, rural development, irrigation, agriculture and food production in the area and beyond.”

    The contract which was given to a consortium of three Chinese Companies, Messrs CGCC-SINOHYDRO-CGOCC Joint Venture, came after more than 40 years on the drawing boards. He stated that the work which started in 1972, as part of a preliminary study carried out by Moto Columbus, and confirmed by an indigenous water resources consultancy, Diyam Consultant led by distinguished Nigerian engineer, the late Malam Salihi Ilyasu, had recommended the construction of a hydropower project with a rated capacity of 3,960 MW.

    The project which will cost the country the sum of US5,792,497,062.00 inclusive of taxes, environment utilization, works, as well as project land acquisition and compensation to about 100,000 people who will be resettled, came as a result of President Muhammadu Buhari discussions with the President of the Peoples Republic of China during his State Visit to that country.

    “One of the achievements of the visit was the bilateral agreement between the two governments to cooperate on the project and in particular, for the Peoples Republic of China to prioritise Chinese financing of the Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power Project using Chinese contractors”.

    He also stated that the formation of the Joint Venture by the three companies, CGCC, SINOHYDRO and CGCOC under the guidance of the Chinese authorizes was at the request of our government and significant in breaking the deadlock caused by litigation, also ended needless competitor wrangling’.

     

     

     

  • China partners with Nigeria to boost food production

    China partners with Nigeria to boost food production

    The Peoples Republic of China has expressed its readiness to a partnership with Nigeria to boost food production in the country.

    Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria  Zhou Pingjian, who made the promise said  the support would come through the provision of loan facilities to small and medium scale farmers and manufacturers through the China Development Bank.

    He spoke on Wednesday in  Abuja  when he paid a visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

    Pingjian  said the bank had over N10 billion which could be loaned to farmers and manufacturers in the country to boost agricultural production.

    “This visit and partnership is the aftermath of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to China.

    “This loan facility will work just like the Anchor Borrowers scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    “Agriculture is one of the priority areas that we want to support Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Ogbeh appealed to the Chinese Government to assist the country in developing processing machines that could facilitate mechanised agriculture.

    He listed some agricultural products that needed adequate processing to meet international standards.

    “We have so many young people in Nigeria that we want to leverage this opportunity of the support to establish.

    “This will help to boost our economy,’’ the minister said.

  • Buhari vows to provide counterpart funding for infrastructure development

    Buhari vows to provide counterpart funding for infrastructure development

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that the Federal Government is ready to provide counterpart funding for all agreements reached with the People’s Republic of China to fast- track ongoing efforts in closing infrastructure gaps.

    He gave the assurance while speaking with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjian, at the presentation of Letters of Credence ceremony at the State House, Abuja.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, commended the readiness of the Chinese public and private sectors to invest in Nigeria, especially in areas that directly improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

    He said: ‘‘we really appreciate the efforts of the Chinese government and its people in supporting Nigeria’s development by always seeking to improve our bilateral relations.

    ‘‘We are also happy that China is working with Nigeria as partners in progress. We will work hard to always meet the counterpart funding for all the agreements reached during my visit to China in April, as we look forward to stronger ties,’’ the President said.

    He also noted that the relationship between Nigerian and China had over the years bolstered the country’s economy through technology and skills transfer in areas like rail, road and energy constructions.

    The President said Nigeria was ready to receive prospective investors from China who had signified interest in the country.

    Speaking earlier, the Chinese ambassador said he had been inundated with so many requests by investors from his country who had been ‘‘falling over one another” to explore business opportunities in Nigeria.

    Pingjian said the investors had been attracted by the ‘‘remarkable and audacious’’ change process that President Buhari’s administration implemented in safeguarding security, fighting corruption and restoring integrity and sanctity in all public sector transactions.

    President Buhari also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Warner Senfter; Ambassador of the State of Israel, Mr. Guy Feldman and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Mr. Jens-Petter Kjemprud.

  • China rejects international court ruling

    China rejects international court ruling

    …says it is against nation’s sovereignty

    The Peoples Republic of China has rejected the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea; saying the ruling  will not stand.

    Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirm China’s staunch position of non-acceptance and non-recognition of the award.

    Rejecting the ruling, Chinese Minister of foreign Affairs,   described it as completely a political farce staged under legal pretext, as violates China’s lawful rights and challenges the norms of international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    He said : “Today, an Arbitral Tribunal, put together on a temporary basis, issued a so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration, which was unilaterally initiated by the former government of the Philippines, in an attempt to undermine China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. Responding to such a move, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement, affirming China’s staunch position of non-acceptance and non-recognition of the award. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry was also given authorization to issue the Statement of the Government of the People’s Republic of China on China’s Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea to solemnly reaffirm China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

    “It is on those bases that I elaborate on China’s proposition as follows.

    First, the South China Sea arbitration is completely a political farce staged under legal pretext. Such a nature must be exposed for everyone to see.

    Plotted and manipulated by certain forces outside the region, the former government of the Philippines unilaterally initiated the arbitration with no consent of the other party.

    “Such an act ran counter to the agreement previously reached between the two sides to resolve disputes through bilateral negotiation and consultation. It also violated the commitment the Philippines made in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Its purpose is clearly not to seek proper settlement of disputes with China, but to violate China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and put peace and stability in the South China Sea in jeopardy. The arbitration was conducted according to unwarranted procedure and application of law, and was based on flawed evidence and facts.

    “Such as it is, it will never be accepted by the Chinese people. Nor will it be recognized by anyone in the world who stands on the side of justice.

    “Second, China’s position of non-acceptance and non-participation is aimed at upholding international rule of law and rules of the region.

    According to international law, each country has the right to choose on its own will the means of dispute settlement. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) gives the State Parties the right to exclude relevant disputes from the application of compulsory dispute settlement procedures. The DOC signed by China and the ten ASEAN countries manifestly stipulates that relevant disputes should be resolved by countries directly concerned through dialogue and negotiation. China’s non-acceptance of and non-participation in the arbitration is solidly based on international law, and is consistent with the norms and rules of the international law of the sea. China is acting in strict accordance with the law.

    “The award given by the Arbitral Tribunal violates China’s lawful rights. It challenges the norms of international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. It undermines the sanctity and integrity of the system of international law of the sea, and has a negative impact on the rules of the region established on the basis of the DOC. The establishment of the Arbitral Tribunal has no legitimacy and the Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction over the case. The award is clearly out of the Arbitral Tribunal’s acts of self-expansion of power and ultra vires, and has no legal effect.

    “I want to point out that more and more countries in the world as well as people with vision have expressed concerns and doubt about the case, especially legal experts worldwide. Over 60 countries have publicly expressed their understanding and support for China’s position. These are voices of justice that the international community should well listen to.

    “Third, China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are based on solid historical and legal ground. They shall not be affected by the award of the Arbitral Tribunal.

    “The statement issued today by the Chinese government reaffirmed once again China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. They include, inter alia:

    China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands); China has internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf based on its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao; and China has historic rights in the South China Sea.

    “I must stress that China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are not new claims. These, including the dotted line, have been formed in the long course of history, and have been upheld by the successive Chinese governments. Any attempt by any force to undermine or deny in any way China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests will be futile and will fail. On issues of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will not accept any means of third-party dispute settlement without China’s prior consent or any imposed solution. This temporary tribunal, unjust and highly controversial, does not stand for international law, the rule of law or equity and justice in the world.

    “Fourth, China will remain committed to peaceful settlement of disputes through consultation and negotiation, and will continue to work for peace and stability in this region.

    China is a contributor to global order and regional peace. China will stay committed to peaceful settlement of disputes with parties directly concerned through negotiation and consultation and in accordance with international law. China is committed to upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all other countries under international law. China is committed to the full and effective implementation of the DOC, and will work to advance the consultations on a Code of Conduct within the framework of the DOC.

    “The arbitration and the out-of-bad-faith dramatization and political manipulation that ensued have put the South China Sea issue to a dangerous situation, with growing tension and confrontation. It is detrimental to peace and stability in the region, and it does not serve the common interests of China and the Philippines, countries in the region or the wider international community. Now the farce is over. It is time that things come back to normal.

    “China has noted the latest statements by the new government of the Philippines, including its readiness to re-open consultation and dialogue with China on the South China Sea issue. China hopes that the goodwill of the new Philippine government for improving relations with China will be accompanied with real actions, and that the Philippine side will work with us to properly manage differences and bring China-Philippines relations back to the track of healthy development at an early date.

    “Finally, I wish to reiterate that it is China’s long-standing commitment to grow good-neighborly and friendly relations with its neighbors. China has an international responsibility to uphold peace and stability in this region, and China will remain firm in its strategic determination to pursue peaceful development. China will continue to do what it can to safeguard the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations, to uphold international rule of law and equity and justice in the world, and to promote peace and development of mankind.”

  • FG seeks speedy completion of Mambilla power project

    FG seeks speedy completion of Mambilla power project

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Beijing promised that his administration will honour all agreements concluded between Nigeria and China under previous administrations to ensure the speedy completion of outstanding joint projects, including the 4,000 megawatts Mambilla Hydro-Electric Power Project.

    Buhari spoke at a meeting with Mr Li Keqiang, the Premier of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China.

    President Buhari regretted the failure of past governments to meet Nigeria’s obligations in joint projects with China.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President told the Chinese Premier that his administration was committed to the completion, in the shortest possible time, of all joint power, rail, road and aviation projects that will directly and quickly improve the lives of Nigerians.

    He said that he was particularly keen on actualizing the Mambilla Power Project because of its huge potential to boost employment and national economic growth.

    The Chinese Premier commended ongoing efforts by the Buhari Administration to improve Nigeria’s infrastructure.

    He assured the President that China was ready to work with his administration to complete all joint projects, including the Mambilla Power Project.