Nigeria and China have signed a joint agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation and strengthen exchanges between the two nations.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Yusuf Tuggar, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, announced this in a joint statement during their meeting in China. The two ministers co-chaired the first Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee, signing an agreement focused on promoting regional and world peace.
According to both ministers, the agreement aims to advance security operations, trade, and police enforcement, enhance capacity, and safeguard national sovereignty and security interests.
“The two countries restated commitment to enhancing the mutual bond and friendship between their two peoples, mutual-trust, interest-sharing, and common progress through mutual exchanges, mutual leaning, and mutual understanding.”
The agreement also emphasizes cultural exchange, with plans to continue building cultural events like the Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese-Nigeria Culture Week, Chinese-Nigeria Film Festival, and Abuja International Art Fair.
“The two countries are willing to continue to build culture brands, such as the Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese-Nigeria Culture Week, Chinese-Nigeria Film Festival, and Abuja International Art Fair.”
Additionally, the agreement highlights cooperation in cultural and tourism fields, including publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums, and tourism promotion.
“The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in cultural and tourism fields, such as publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums, and tourism promotion.”
Both officials reviewed the positive outcomes since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria over the past 50 years and planned the future development of their bilateral relations. They also exchanged views on China-Africa relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest, reaching a wide range of consensus.
The two countries pledged to support each other in various international fora, particularly the UN, G20, and BRICS.
“The government of Nigeria acknowledges there is but one China in the world and that the government of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Also, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory; Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of ‘Taiwan independence’ in any form.”
Both nations agreed to work towards good governance, democratic values, and stability in the Sahel region, recognizing Nigeria’s leading role in fighting terrorism and transborder crimes. They also agreed on pursuing economic viability through infrastructure development and sectoral cooperation.
Wang Yi commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in ECOWAS and efforts to bring stability to the sub-region. Tuggar, in turn, expressed Nigeria’s support for the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
The ministers affirmed their commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of each other’s citizens and creating a business-friendly environment.
“The two sides agreed to support each other’s efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity, and social harmony, endeavor to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.”
Both countries highlighted the importance of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and expressed Nigeria’s support for China in hosting the 2024 FOCAC Summit. They agreed to strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs and uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, advocating for an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization.
“Both countries are dedicated to advancing high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating synergies between BRI and FOCAC conference outcomes with the Renewed Hope Agenda, Eight Priority Areas proposed by Tinubu, and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.”
The agreement also includes commitments to strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications, finance, agriculture, industry, mining, and free trade zones, as well as exploring opportunities in digital, green, and blue economies.
“The Chinese side is willing to expand imports of Nigerian agricultural products; the Nigerian side called for increased partnership in mining and solid mineral development and expressed willingness to partner with Chinese companies to establish manufacturing companies in Nigeria for local consumption and exports.”
Both countries committed to creating a transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment, strengthening the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and opposing trade protectionism. They also supported the establishment of friendly relations between more Chinese and Nigerian provinces, municipalities, and local governments.
“China expresses its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment, and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and abroad; also at the regional and international levels and to safeguard peace and stability of the country,” the ministers said.
