By Zika Bobby
L-R: Prof. Zhao Hongling, Chinese Director, Confucius Institute, University of Lagos; Dr Warg Yongzhong, Senior Fellow, Institute of World Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Ms Yan Yuqing, Consul-General, Chinese Consulate, Lagos; Mrs Olatokunbo Edun, Executive Director, Grace Schools, Lagos and Professor Obi Iwuagwu, Nigerian Director, Confucius Institute, University of Lagos.
Chinese Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing said her country would continue to promote exchange programmes in education with Nigeria, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries.
She gave this assurance at the 17th China-Africa Lecture held at the University of Lagos.
She noted that Nigeria is incredibly special to China and that the bilateral cooperation will provide students good learning environment, leading to quality graduates that will contribute to the nation’s development.
Yuqing said these bilateral cooperations have provided opportunities for Nigerian students to visit China on scholarship to gain more practical training.
She was accompanied by Chinese delegates from the China-Africa Institute (CAI) who visited the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to deliver the 17th China-Africa Lecture.
The lecture titled: “Chinese Modernization and the Development of Africa,” explored the Chinese government’s efforts to lift over 800 million people out of poverty and the lessons that African countries can learn from these experiences.
The delegates highlighted the Chinese government’s focus on addressing the real needs of the people, emphasizing that this approach has been crucial to China’s success in poverty reduction.
They also discussed the Belt and Road Initiative, a Chinese government-led infrastructure development program that aims to connect China with the rest of the world. The delegates noted that the Belt and Road Initiative has the potential to bring significant benefits to African countries, including increased investment, trade, and infrastructure development.
The lecture was attended by over 200 participants, including faculty members, students, researchers, diplomats, media practitioners, and civil society representatives from both China and Nigeria.
The lecture was part of the ongoing collaboration between the CAI and UNILAG, which aims to promote academic exchange, joint research, and policy dialogue on China-Africa issues.
The lecture was opened by Prof. Ilupeju Akanbi Mudasiru, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, UNILAG.
The guest speaker, Yuqing, gave an overview of the history and achievements of China-Africa cooperation, especially in the areas of infrastructure, trade, investment, health, education, and culture. She also highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing China and Africa in the context of the global pandemic and the changing international order. She stressed the need for both sides to uphold the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, and to work together to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.