In this March, the Chinese Consulate-General in Lagos, in collaboration with relevant academic organizations, launched the first Lagos Forum at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), which has become an important platform for deepening communication and improving mutual understanding between China and Nigeria. This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria.
On the 16th of this month, we organized a conference on the theme of “Reviewing the History, Embracing the Future” within the framework of the Lagos Forum. It was aimed at reviewing the practical cooperation and fruitful results achieved between China and Nigeria over the past 53 years on the basis of the one-China principle, as well as charting the way forward for the quality enhancement and upgrading of China-Nigeria strategic partnership.
First, let’s review the history. The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971, and the Joint Communiqué on its establishment states that “the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole lawful Government representing the entire Chinese people”. Since then, the bilateral relations have developed robustly smoothly on the basis of the one-China Principle. In the Joint Communiqué of 2002, China and Nigeria further clarified that “the Nigerian side reiterates the one-China policy that there is but one China in the world,” and that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory”. In 2005, the leaders of China and Nigeria reached a consensus on the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries, and in 2009 the two countries held their first strategic dialogue.
Over the past 53 years since the diplomatic relationship was established, the development of bilateral relations has enjoyed a sound momentum, supporting each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns, and have closely coordinated in international and regional affairs, jointly safeguarding the interests of developing countries and world peace and stability. China and Nigeria have always been committed to building a world of lasting peace through dialogue and consultation, a world of common security for all through joint efforts, a world of common prosperity through win-win cooperation, an open and inclusive world through exchanges and mutual learning, and making our world clean and beautiful by pursuing green and low-carbon development.
On the basis of political mutual trust, China-Nigeria cooperation has achieved fruitful results in various fields. Let’s take bilateral economy and trade relations as an example. At the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Nigeria, the annual bilateral trade volume was only a few million dollars, and in 2006, the figure grew to 3.13 billion dollars, while by 2023, Nigeria has become China’s largest engineering contracting market in Africa, the second largest export market, the third largest trading partner and a major investment destination country, with the bilateral trade volume reaching a remarkable level of 22.56 billion dollars.
Chinese companies have been actively participating in projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Dangote Refinery, the Lagos Blue and Red Line Light Rail, the Lagos-Ibadan Railway and so on, significantly promoting local economic and social development, and improving people’s livelihoods. It can be stated that China and Nigeria have been on the right track since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Secondly, Let’s summarize the historical experience. I would like to emphasize that, in the past 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, Nigeria’s firm commitment to the one-China principle has been the basis and premise for all the achievements made by China and Nigeria. The one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community; it is consistent with the basic norms of international relations. To date, 183 countries including Nigeria have established diplomatic relations with the PRC on the basis of the one-China principle. In recent years, more and more countries have chosen to rupture so-called “diplomatic ties” with Taiwan, reflecting that China’s determination to pursue national reunification has been widely recognized by the international community.
In today’s world, reunification is in line with the trend of history and the right path, while ‘Taiwan independence’ secessionist forces are reaching the dead end since they are against the historical trend which conforms with the will of the people.
Throughout China’s 5000-year history, national reunification and opposition to secession have always been the common ideals and culture traditions of the Chinese nation.The truth of “united we stand, divided we fall” must be deeply felt by the Nigerian people.
The fulfillment of national development and the well-being of all people is not only the dream of China, but also the common pursuit of all countries including Nigeria. Having experienced a history of colonization and national division, Nigeria shares a common historical memory with the Chinese people. I sincerely hope that on the journey towards national rejuvenation, China can join hands with Nigeria, overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and jointly achieve a prosperous and glorious future.
Third, let’s embrace the future. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and in September this year, China will host the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). This is an important opportunity to further strengthen the political mutual trust and deepen the bilateral relations between China and Nigeria. I would like to describe the China-Nigeria bilateral relationship as a bridge, and I would like to make the following points of hope for it.
First of all, we should build the foundation of the China- Nigeria bridge with political mutual trust. All the friendly interactions and cooperation are based on mutual political trust and, in particular, on the one-China principle.
The Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests, of which the Nigerian side needs to be very aware. China will also firmly support the solidarity among all regions and ethnic groups in Nigeria and the realization of the Renewed Hope goals.
Secondly, we should widen the China-Nigere bridge with people-to-people exchange. We will continue to support Chinese culture being brought into Nigeria and encourage Nigeria’s Afrobeat, the Yoruba-Igbo-Hausa three major ethnic dances and Nigerian cuisines to be brought into China. We encourage more Chinese students to come and study in Nigeria, and we hope that more Nigerian students will be able to cross the mountains and seas to learn about a real China through the “Chinese Bridge” project. We support Chinese enterprises and Chinese community in Nigeria to carry out charities and give back to the society. The charity program “Renewed Hope, Rebirth from the Light” financing cataract patients in Nigeria, initiated by me, is a case in point. The friendship makes the bridge between China and Nigeria wider.
Thirdly, we should extend the China-Nigeria bridge for the benefit of the people with pragmatic cooperation. We will further strengthen economic and trade relations, facilitating bilateral trade and promoting bilateral investment to boost Nigeria’s economy and industrial upgrading; and strengthen scientific and technological cooperation to promote infrastructure construction and the use of new energy sources to achieve sustainable development in Nigeria. The fruitful results will make the China-Nigeria Bridge a bridge of transportation, and also enable the people of China and Nigeria to enjoy tangible benefits.