Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Jedda Ahmed says the recent visit of Vice President Kashim Shettim has opened a new page in relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Jedda, who made the declaration in an interview with State house Correspondents, also hailed Nigeria’s outing at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative Forum in China.
He said with this development, Nigeria stands to benefit more in the areas of infrastructural development and support from the People’s Republic of China.
He said: “First and foremost I would like to convey the appreciation of the President and government of Nigeria for President Xi Jinping’s invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attend and participate in the 3rd Bet and road Initiative Forum.
“The Vic3e President represented the President at the event and he actively and creditably participated in all the official activities lined up for him.
“His participation, especially the bilateral meeting he held with President Xi Jinping, has given meaningful results in the relationship between Nigeria and China. For example, President Xi Jinping and the government of China have agreed to promote the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China to a comprehensive strategic partnership.”
The Ambassador stressed that Nigeria and China established in 1971 and by the year 2005 it was upgraded to strategic partnership but the visit of Vice President Shettima paved the way for an improvement to the ties to a comprehensive partnership.
“That in itself means that Nigeria and China are going to work more closely in the future and Nigeria stands to benefit much more than it has done in terms of infrastructural development and support from China and in terms of friendship which may now be considered as brotherhood between Nigeria and China,” he said.
Encouragement
Ambassador Jedda used the opportunity to thank the Vice President for meeting with Diplomats working at the Nigerian Embassy in China, which he said has gone a long way in boosting the morale of the Diplomats.
“Earlier on, when the Vice President arrived in China, he met with Diplomats of the Embassy and exchanged views about issues governing their welfare in China and that we found very encouraging.”
He also thanked the Vice President for holding a meeting with a group of ECOWAS Ambassadors serving in China, who were on a solidarity visit to honour Nigeria’s Chairmanship of ECOWAS.
Investment
The Nigerian Envoy to China hailed the commitment of Chinese companies towards investment and improvement of infrastructure in Nigeria.
“While in China, the Vice President also witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding with many relevant companies that are investing or have indicated the interest to invest in Nigeria. So these MoUs and letters of intent that were signed and issued were clear testimonies of the zeal, commitment and desire to invest in Nigeria,” he said.
He emphasized that many Chinese companies are already helping in the railway and air transportation sectors as well as the economic development of Nigeria.
The Ambassador hailed the resolution of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum to establish a secretariat for the Belt and Road Forum, which he said would enhance coordination of the activities of the Forum.
