China to prioritise political, economic cooperation with Nigeria —envoy

Mr Cui Jianchun, Ambassador of China to Nigeria, said on Tuesday that the country would prioritize the implementation of its political and economic cooperation with Nigeria, to achieve growth.

Cui stated this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the restoration of China‘a seat in the United Nations.

The ambassador explained that the anniversary was in commemoration of the UN General Assembly’s recognition of China’s representatives and the expulsion of Chiang Kai-shek, then leader of Taiwan, from the organisation, on Oct. 25, 1971.

Quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks at a conference to commemorate the event, the envoy said, “restoration of New China’s lawful seat in the UN was momentous for the world and the organisation.”

He further said, “How can we implement these strategies for road development progress? We covered five goals; the first goal is political consonance and the second is economic cooperation.”

“Today, we consider how we can implement two of the goals through international coordination, in terms of how ‘Nigeria supported China’ since we established diplomatic ties, on Feb. 10, 1971.”

“The two nations established diplomatic relations in February, 1971 and on Oct. 1, 1971 the then Nigerian government made a decision to support the move to restore the rights of China in the UN system.”

“We are grateful to Nigeria, because that formed the foundation for the two nations; 26 countries in Africa supported China; we have done a lot in the past 50 years.”

“I think in the relationship between China and Nigeria we have done a lot in the past 50 years, we believe we have to trace the history, that is the international correlation from 1971.”

Cui explained that even before 1971, the two countries supported each other, adding that it was the best for both of them to have come a long way internationally.

He identified the five mutual goals between the two countries to include, political consonance, economic cooperation, military cooperation, international coordination and people communication.

Cui reiterated Xi’s focus on peace and development, upholding and supporting the principles of the UN, international fairness and justice, as well as global order governance.

He further quoted Xi as saying, “For the past 50 years, China has written an epic chapter in the development of China and humanity, and also contributing significantly towards world peace and development.

“Upholding the authority and sanctity of the UN and practicing multilateralism; we strongly advocate peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom.”

“It is important for China to build a community with a future for mankind and work together to build an open, inclusive, clean, beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.”

“We are committed to mutual benefits and win-win results, and work together to promote economic and social development for the greater benefit of our people.”

“We should step-up cooperation, work together to address challenges and global issues that are facing humanity and regularly uphold the authority of the UN to practice true multilateralism,” he added.

Ambassador Cui also noted that China had so far recorded successes in its contribution to world peace and global development order, while commending Nigeria’s role in Africa in this regard.

He said China would continue to support Nigeria’s leadership positions in the World Trade Organisation and the African Development Bank, to strengthen bilateral ties between both countries in global development initiatives.

Cui said that Nigeria could learn from China’s success in the centenary of the Communist Party of China, poverty to prosperity, efforts to biodiversity and reunion of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

He said that China recorded lots of achievements in climate change, through adequate investments in ecological civilization, and urged the Federal Government to work closely with his country to achieve targets.

The ambassador added that China and Nigeria would continue to work collectively, to realise their common goals in areas of currency unification and the Belt and Road Initiative, to boost shared benefits.