The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima says the more than 50 years of bilateral relations between Nigeria and China need to be taken to the next level, for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
The Vice President gave the advice in Beijing on Tuesday, when he paid a courtesy visit to his Chinese counterpart, Han Zheng.
He told his host that Nigeria plays the leading role in Africa economically and that it would be sustained in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of revamping the economy.
Shettima noted that: “Nigeria and China celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2021. We believe that our years of mutually beneficial relationship will be further enhanced and upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.”
“Nigeria is China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa; it is the largest economy in Africa and the most populous country in the African continent.”
Potentials
While underscoring Nigeria’s great potential, VP Shettima said that Nigeria would utilise its population and human resources to propel her towards impacting her citizens the most and also earn a higher status on the global map.
The Vice President buttressed his call on Nigeria and China to cement their ties because they have many things in common.
“I wish to reiterate that we share a lot of commonalities with China. One out of every four black men is a Nigerian and it is projected that by 2050 Nigeria will be the third most populous nation on earth, we are going to surpass the United States and opportunities abound for Nigeria and China to further consolidate this burgeoning relationship to a greater level,” he said.
VP Shettima, who is in China to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum where over 100 countries are participating, used the opportunity to call on world leaders to tap into the peace virtue of China to enhance global cooperation.
“The Belt and Road Initiative is a big beautiful concept geared towards South-South cooperation and peaceful global development anchored on China’s virtue of peace and development across the world,” said the Vice President.
Regional Support
The Vice President extended Nigeria’s appreciation to China for her show of support in various ways.
He said President Tinubu, who is the current Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was happy with the support of China to countries in West Africa and the entire continent.
“We want to thank China for the support and empathy shown to Nigeria, West Africa, and the African continent over the years,” the VP added.
In his own remarks, the Vice President of China, Han Zheng stated that the Asian country is willing to enhance its mutual links with Nigeria.
Mr Zheng said he concurred with his Nigerian counterpart’s call for the strengthening of diplomatic relations with Nigeria, which has great potential.
He said; “Tomorrow President Xi Jinping will have a special meeting with your Excellency and China is much willing to work together with Nigeria to enhance political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation, and better develop our bilateral relations.
“This year marks the 3rd Belt and Road Forum and the first two were held respectively in 2017 and 2019 and this year we have over 140 countries and 30 international organizations participating.”
“Over the past 10 years, the Belt and Road Forum has become an international cooperation platform different from other international ones for moving international public goods from all countries. Themed ‘Promoting high-quality cooperation for shared development and prosperity,’ the Belt and Road Forum this year spells an important platform for joint contribution and shared benefits for all participants and we hope that the Belt and Road cooperation will inject new impetus to international cooperation and generate greater benefits for more countries,” he said.
State Banquet
In the evening of the same day, Vice President Shettima was a guest at a State Banquet hosted by Chinese President, Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, for Heads of State and delegations of countries participating in the 3rd Belt and Road Forum.
Nigeria and China established diplomatic relations in 1971 and that has since grown, with various agreements signed between the two populous nations it is expected that with the commitment of their present leaders, the future looks bright for both Nigeria and China.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
