Nigeria is China’s largest project contracting market and a major investment destination in Africa, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, has said.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a reception in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, Dunhai also put the bilateral trade relations between both countries in 2023 at $22.5 billion. He added that Nigeria was the second largest export market and third largest trading partner.
The envoy noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, China and Nigeria have enjoyed a long-standing friendship with strengthened high-level engagements, consolidated political mutual trust and deepened people-to-people exchanges, and have shared fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation.
According to him, “China-Nigeria high-level relations always stand at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation. Our practical cooperation has achieved fruitful results in areas such as infrastructure, investment, trade, agriculture and green economy, covering projects for the aviation, land and in the sea.
“The projects have brought tangible benefits to both Chinese and Nigerian people, and provided concrete support for Nigeria’s social and economic development.”
Dunhai, who was recently posted to Nigeria, further used the occasion to appreciate those who have supported China’s modernisation and China-Nigeria friendship over the years.
He recalled that his first knowledge about the country came through football, stating: “I first came to know Nigeria through the Super Eagles, the Nigeria national football team, which won the gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
“At that time, I was a university student and never dreamt that I could become China’s ambassador to this great country. Yet, here I am. I look forward to working with people from all walks of life to promote our bilateral relations to a new height.”
On China’s development and the impact of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Dunhai stated: “Over the past 75 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese nation has forged ahead in unity.”
According to him, China “has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing upright to becoming prosperous and growing in strength. Especially over the past decade, the CPC has rallied and led the entire Chinese nation to win the largest battle against poverty in human history.
“Each year, an average of 10 million people were lifted out of poverty, which was equivalent to the population of a medium-sized country. At present, nearly 100 million Chinese people in total have shaken off poverty. China has accomplished the historic mission of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
“Over the past 75 years, China has witnessed profound and transformative changes. The living standards of Chinese people have grown from bare subsistence to moderate prosperity, while China has moved from weakness and poverty to strength and prosperity, achieving the twin miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability in human history.
“Between 2013 and 2023, China contributed over 30 per cent on average to global economic growth, making it the largest driving force for the world economy.
“At present, the Chinese people have embarked on the new journey towards the Second Centenary Goal, which is, by 2049, to build our country into a great modern socialist country in all respects that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, and to pursue the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernisation.
“The high-quality development of China will bring new opportunities to the development of Nigeria and other countries in Africa and from around the world.”
The ambassador further recalled that the recently concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) afforded African leaders and Chinese government the opportunity to reach a clear political consensus on strengthening all-round China-Africa cooperation.
“At the opening ceremony of the summit, President Xi Jinping announced a six-point proposition on China-Africa joint efforts to advance modernisation and 10 partnership actions for the next three years, which drew a blueprint for China-Africa cooperation going forward,” he said.
He assured that China would be proud to be a great partner with Nigeria on the way to achieving common development and modernization: “Indeed, we have so much in common. Both China and Nigeria are proud of our splendid cultures, hardworking and kind-hearted people, and tremendous development potential,” he noted.
“October 1st is both China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day, which is a unique bond linking our two countries. We are both ‘ancient, yet young countries’, and now we are both marching forward with confidence toward modernisation.”
In his response, Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, admitted that since its founding in 1949, China has undergone transformative changes that have propelled it into a position of global prominence, adding that the strides made in economic development, technological innovation and social progress were nothing short of extraordinary.
“From being a largely agrarian society to becoming the second-largest economy in the world, indeed China’s journey is a testament to resilience and visionary leadership,” he stated.
“Today’s gathering reminds us of the greatness of China as a fast-developing giant nation, a global change-maker, prominent for its intensifying influence in the globalised world. It is a celebration of China’s enormous contributions to the socio-economic development of the world and its worthy accomplishments in global high-tech advancement.
“We are therefore proud to rejoice and associate with the People’s Republic of China at this fascinating period of national commemorative ceremonies.
“As we celebrate this anniversary, we must also acknowledge the deepening relationship between Nigeria and China – a partnership built on mutual respect and shared aspirations. Our two nations have enjoyed fruitful cooperation across various sectors, including trade, education, healthcare and infrastructure development.
“The support that China has extended towards Nigeria’s infrastructural projects has been invaluable. Initiatives such as the construction of railways and roads have not only enhanced connectivity within Nigeria but have also fostered economic growth and job creation.”
