Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, says the Chinese government will strengthen its bilateral and economic relations with Nigeria.
Dr. Zhou Pingjian stated this in Abuja during the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The envoy said; “China would continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with African countries.”
Dr. Zhou Pingjian reiterated China’s commitment to continue to pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of Belt and Road Initiative, to share development opportunities with other countries.
He also pledged his country’s determination to build world peace, contribute to global prosperity and uphold the international order.
“Both China and Nigeria are major developing countries of great influence in the world.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971 and strategic partnership in 2005 in particular, the all-round, wide-ranging and high-quality bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria has been a pace-setter for China-Africa cooperation,” Dr. Zhou Pingjian explained.
He stated; “In recent years, thanks to the strategic guidance and personal commitment of President Xi and President Buhari, China and Nigeria have significantly enhanced political trust and secured fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation.
“China-Nigeria relations are at their best time in history and face new opportunities of growth.”
Dr. Zhou Pingjian said; “The brotherly South-South cooperation between China and Nigeria is equal-footed and mutually beneficial..We firmly support Nigeria in pursuing a development path that suits Nigeria’s national conditions and have confidence that under the able leadership of President Buhari, Nigeria will achieve even greater success in its national development.”
“We stand ready to work with Nigeria to enhance mutual trust, jointly pursue Belt and Road cooperation in greater synergy with Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).”
“Effectively implement the outcomes of FOCAC Beijing Summit and elevate the strategic partnership between China and Nigeria to a new level.”
Dr. Zhou Pingjian said that presently, the world was undergoing profound changes unseen in a century with various global challenges on the rise.
According to him, no country can stay immune on its own under these circumstances.
He said that all countries needed more than ever before, to strengthen communication and coordination, respect each other’s development path and multilateralism, among others.
The envoy added that China stood ready to make positive contributions in the global arena.
For his part, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada noted that Nigeria and China enjoyed strategic partnership in all facets of bilateral relations.
According to Ambassador Dada, the Economic Relations between Nigeria and China are largely characterised by trade and have grown tremendously over the years.
“As Nigeria joins the Belt and Road Initiative by signing the MoU on the one Belt and one Road framework, it is hoped that bilateral trade cooperation between China and Nigeria will reach greater heights.
“Nigeria deeply appreciates the growing level of cooperation and technical assistance provided by China in several sectors of the economy both at bilateral level and through the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC),” he said.
Ambassador Dada stated that; “Nigeria also commends the People’s Republic of China for its participation in the Federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) through its infrastructure projects in the country.
“Nigeria appreciates China’s humanitarian and military assistance in the fight against security challenges facing the country.”
He explained that from the point of view of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy, Nigeria’s strategy was to promote partnerships with friendly countries through the attraction of Foreign Direct Investments, skills and technology for wealth and job creation.
Ambassador Dada expressed optimism that China would continue to provide the necessary support as Nigerian government continue to provide the enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investments to thrive in Nigeria.
The People’s Republic of China was founded on October 1, 1949.
