From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has expressed China’s readiness to work hand in hand with Nigeria to jointly advance the Ten Partnership Actions for China-Africa cooperation.
This was even as the Chinese envoy also expressed China’s readiness to negotiate an Economic Partnership Agreement for Common Development with Nigeria as early as both countries can in order to maximise the benefits from China’s zero-tariff policy, share development opportunities, and achieve mutual revitalisation goals.
The Chinese envoy gave the assurance while speaking during the Seminar on ‘Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Achieve the Ten Partnership Actions in an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future’ which was held in Abuja.
Yu said that since Presidents Xi Jinping and Bola Ahmed Tinubu met in Beijing last year, China-Nigeria bilateral cooperation has embarked on a fast track.
He stated that in recent days, both countries have seen major projects of cooperation between China and Nigeria achieving remarkable progress.
Yu listed the lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State which has commenced operations, the Ajaokuta Steel Plant revitalisation project which is advancing steadily, and the completion of Abuja’s N16 main road and Greater Water Supply project as some of the fruits of the cooperation.
“These developments underscore our strong economic complementarity and bright prospects for win-win cooperation. China stands ready to negotiate an Economic Partnership Agreement for Common Development with Nigeria as early as we can, in order to maximise the benefits from China’s zero-tariff policy, share development opportunities, and achieve mutual revitalisation goals.
“The thriving cooperation between China and Nigeria today wouldn’t be possible without the continuous support of our Nigerian friends. Particularly noteworthy is President Tinubu’s appointment of Joseph Tegbe as Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following the President’s state visit to China last year. This designation has given our friendship another steadfast champion, defender, and practitioner. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the goodwill ambassadors dedicated to advancing China-Nigeria relations.
“China-Nigeria cooperation has been consistently leading China-Africa engagement, with the spirit of ‘dare to be the first’ being its defining hallmark. As Nigeria’s most reliable friend and partner, China stands ready to work hand in hand with Nigeria, support each other through thick and thin, jointly advance the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’ for China-Africa cooperation in modernisation, and implement the initiatives of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of FOCAC. Together through our joint efforts, we will surely write a new chapter of the China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership!” Yu said.
Earlier in his remarks, Yu said that during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held last September, President Xi and African leaders agreed to advance the ‘Six Modernisations’ and jointly implement the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’.
The initiatives, he stated, aimed to catalyse the cause of China-Africa modernisation and elevate the China-Africa community with a shared future to new heights.
“The ‘Ten Partnership Actions’ encompass cooperation across ten critical domains including cultural exchange, trade facilitation, industrial chain integration, infrastructure connectivity, sustainable development, public health, agriculture advancement, people-to-people bonds, green economy transition, and security cooperation. Rooted in the common aspirations and fundamental interests of Chinese and African peoples, these initiatives respond to our shared modernisation priorities and inject forceful momentum into China-Africa cooperation.
“In just nine months after the FOCAC Beijing Summit, China and Africa have achieved significant progress in implementing the ‘Ten Partnership Actions’, with strengthened strategic mutual trust, deepened practical cooperation, and enhanced multilateral coordination. These developments demonstrate that China-Africa cooperation rests upon a solid foundation, addresses broad shared needs, and possesses immense potential.
“Days ago, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of FOCAC was held in Changsha, Hunan Province of China, to advance the implementation of the Forum’s outcomes. This gathering coincided with FOCAC’s 25th anniversary and has drawn significant international attention. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the meeting. Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended its opening ceremony, together with more than 100 ministerial-level officials from Forum member countries, representatives of the African Union Commission, and ambassadors from African countries to China,” Yu also said.
In his remarks, Tegbe reaffirmed the commitment of President Tinubu to providing the right environment for the implementation of the partnership actions.
“We are confident that beyond effective implementation of the current FOCAC projects/initiatives, Nigeria is well-positioned to receive the next tranche of disbursements from the $51 billion African fund portfolio as we are currently expanding our horizon,” Tegbe said.
Also speaking, the Director, Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, University of Abuja, Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, said it was axiomatic to argue that the China-Africa relation has become a formidable force to break, a concert of giants, a bandwagon of hope, and a journey of resilience.
“From Bandung to Beijing, 1955 to 2024, China and Africa have rejected colonialism, imperialism, and subjugation of any kind by the colonial forces that drained Africa of its resources, seized its human potential, and ensured dependency and underdevelopment of the continent,” Ibrahim said.