By Salamatu Ejembi, Lagos
China has called for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.
This formed part of the address by the Consul General of the Chinese embassy in Lagos, Yan Yuqing at the Lagos Forum 2024, themed ‘The Chinese in the Nigerian Economy – Deepening Development Cooperation: Towards A Shared Future, A Better World.’
She said that China and Nigeria are strategic partners, and the engagement between the two countries is a vivid example of the promotion of equal and orderly multipolarity of the world.
Yuqing described the deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and Nigeria as an important force in promoting inclusive economic globalisation, stressing that China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation will be steady and far-reaching, and will achieve even greater splendour.
“China advocates that the multipolarity of the world should be equal, through which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, and hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations.
China stands ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with African countries and the AU to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity,” she stated.
The Chinese envoy said that China remained an advocate for a universally beneficial economic globalisation, one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources.
She said Chinese enterprises have not only promoted local economic and social development, but also made outstanding contributions to the deepening of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Yuqing said “China calls for an inclusive economic globalisation, which supports countries to follow the path of development in accordance with their national conditions, while joining hands to create common development for all humankind.”
“It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalisation and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial.”
The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae said that Nigeria, having witnessed a series of recessions of different categories across the broad spectrum of not only its economic life, but also its social life, is at a place where it needs to re-strategise on its diplomatic ties.
To this end, Professor Osaghie called for more engagement of the private sector in Nigeria by the Chinese especially in the manufacturing sector to boost production.
The Lagos 2024 Forum also witnessed the launch of a book by Mr. Ikenna Emewu titled, “The Chinese in the Nigerian Economy”, a research report written to introduce and evaluate the contribution made by Chinese enterprises to Nigeria’s economic development.
The event brought together representatives of Chinese enterprises in Nigeria that have made achievements in the fields of infrastructure, FTZ, hi-tech and green development as well as other relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian business community.
