President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Tuesday, September 3, in Beijing, China, announced the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The leaders also agreed to build a high-level Nigeria-China community with a shared future.
This was part of the outcome of talks between the two leaders during President Tinubu’s official visit to China.
The president’s official visit precedes his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to hold from September 4-6.
The president said his visit is an important visit for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, saying ‘Relations between China and Nigeria have indeed lasted for over half a century and should be further strengthened to advance our trade and economic development programmes.
‘’Nigeria holds great potential as the country with the largest population in Africa and is the biggest economy with a very young population that can drive economic growth and cross-sectoral programmes.
‘’We have upgraded the relationship to more than what is just strategic — but a comprehensive developmental partnership. This comprehensive strategic partnership should result in robust development, stability, and security in the West African sub-region. This is very crucial,” he said.
On economic reforms in Nigeria, Tinubu told his Chinese counterpart that his administration remains committed to sustainable growth through the effective implementation of ongoing economic reforms.
‘’We have recognised the need to reform our economy, and we are doing so diligently across tax and tariff reviews, to various other segments of our nation’s economy,” he said.
In his remarks, President Xi noted the strong mutual understanding between Nigeria and China since the establishment of diplomatic ties over the past 50 years.
According to the Chinese leader, the 2024 FOCAC Summit provides an opportunity to reflect on mutual friendships and advance the consolidation of China-Africa relations.
During the meeting, both presidents witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on various areas of mutual interests, including cooperation plan between Nigeria and China on jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the peaceful application of Nuclear Energy, Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation on Human Resource Development under the Global Development Initiative, Memorandum of Understanding on Media Exchange and Cooperation and Memorandum of Understanding between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.
