During a high-level meeting at the Great Hall in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his commitment to deepening China-Nigeria relations and enhancing China-Africa cooperation. The meeting, which took place during Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's state visit to China, comes just before the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit scheduled for September 4-6 in Beijing.
President Xi highlighted the long-standing diplomatic friendship between China and Nigeria, noting that the two nations have fostered mutual understanding and cooperation since establishing diplomatic ties over 50 years ago. He proposed elevating the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, viewing the upcoming FOCAC summit as a pivotal moment to advance China-Africa relations.
"China and Nigeria have treated each other with mutual understanding, seeking collective strength, unity, and win-win cooperation," Xi stated. He emphasized his readiness to work closely with President Tinubu to unlock the full potential of China-Nigeria cooperation.
President Tinubu, in response, expressed gratitude for the invitation, marking his second visit to China—first as Governor of Lagos and now as President of Nigeria. He acknowledged the robust history of China-Nigeria relations and expressed optimism about the potential for enhanced trade and economic development between the two nations.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on several key areas, including Belt and Road Initiative projects, news exchange cooperation, and television cooperation. The agreements underscore both countries' commitment to deepening their partnership in various sectors.
President Tinubu was accompanied by a delegation that included Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara State, among others. The visit marks a significant step forward in strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering mutual growth between China and Nigeria.
