President Bola Tinubu praised the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and China during a meeting with Mr. Chen Xiaodong, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, in Abuja on Thursday. Highlighting the over 50-year relationship, President Tinubu emphasized the need to nourish and promote the ties, which are rooted in mutual commitments to labor, understanding, and development.
Tinubu expressed appreciation for China's support in advocating for a more prominent role for Nigeria in international forums such as the G20, UN Security Council, and BRICS. He acknowledged the significant technological advancements in China, noting his past visits to Shanghai and the remarkable transformation he witnessed there. The President also commended President Xi Jinping for his efforts to strengthen relations with Nigeria and Africa, particularly in infrastructure development.
The Nigerian President emphasized the importance of skill development and knowledge transfer, highlighting Nigeria's vibrant, well-educated youth population. He thanked President Xi for an invitation to visit China and expressed interest in expanding industrial parks across Nigeria, leveraging the country's rich mineral resources and existing Chinese business presence.
In response, Vice Minister Chen Xiaodong praised President Tinubu's strategic vision and leadership in ECOWAS and Africa. He conveyed President Xi's invitation and congratulated Tinubu on his re-election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, expressing hope for further fruitful discussions and opportunities between Nigeria and China.
