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…Meets Plateau Governor
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, on Tuesday, delivered a lecture titled ‘Nigeria–China Relations and the Orange Economy: Opportunities for Nigeria’ to participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.
During the visit to Jos, the Chinese envoy was received in audience by the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, where he was decorated with the traditional regalia.
Taking to X, Yu said: “Today, I was delighted to have exchanges with participants of the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) @NIPSSKuru, Plateau State.
“I shared my thoughts on China’s governance experience and development achievements, outlined China’s policy toward Africa and initiatives such as zero-tariff treatment, and highlighted the immense potential and broad prospects for China–Nigeria cooperation in advancing modernization together.
“China remains committed to working with Nigeria to strengthen strategic alignment, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and take #ChinaNigeria relations to a new height.”
In his meeting with the Plateau State Governor, the Chinese envoy said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, China–Nigeria relations continued to gain momentum.
He also said as an important component of the bilateral relationship between both countries, subnational cooperation continued to unlock new opportunities for mutually beneficial development.
“Plateau State boasts abundant resources and tremendous development potential. As we celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, China stands ready to deepen cooperation with Plateau State and other Nigerian states, leverage the zero-tariff policy, expand practical cooperation, and elevate China–Nigeria relations to a new height,” Yu further said.
On its part, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, in a post on X, said that while delivering the lecture, Ambassador Yu called for stronger Nigeria–China cooperation in industrialisation, technology transfer, manufacturing, agriculture, and the creative economy, describing the orange economy as a new frontier for economic growth and youth employment.
“The Chinese envoy outlined the key factors driving China’s economic transformation, identifying good governance, visionary leadership, strategic planning, reforms, openness, and sustained economic growth as essential pillars of national development.
“He noted that China’s consistent implementation of five-year development plans has provided clear developmental direction, established priorities, and ensured measurable outcomes.
“According to the Ambassador, nations that isolate themselves risk being left behind in an increasingly interconnected world. While encouraging countries to learn from the experiences of others, he emphasised that development models must be adapted to local realities, describing Nigeria as a country with immense potential and unique opportunities,” the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies wrote.
NIPSS also said the Chinese envoy identified industrialisation and digitisation as major drivers of economic growth, stressing that manufacturing remains a catalyst for the expansion of other sectors of the economy.
“Ambassador Yu expressed China’s readiness to partner with Nigeria in strengthening its manufacturing capacity and accelerating industrial development.
“On agriculture, the Ambassador advocated deeper cooperation between both countries, noting that increased Nigerian exports to China would boost economic growth and strengthen bilateral trade relations. He observed that manufacturing and industrial expansion would create employment opportunities for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
“Addressing emerging technologies, Ambassador Yu stated that the digital economy is transforming the global economic landscape and maintained that developing countries should have access to advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support their development aspirations.
“The Chinese envoy described the orange economy as a new engine of growth and acknowledged Nigeria’s comparative advantage in the creative sector, particularly in film, music, and entertainment.
“He encouraged stakeholders to leverage digital platforms to showcase Nigerian culture and stories to global audiences while exploring opportunities for collaboration between Nigeria and China in the creative and cultural industries.
“He also emphasised the need for increased investment in education, renewable energy, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), describing reliable electricity as the lifeblood of industrialisation and sustainable economic development.
“According to him, SMEs remain critical drivers of innovation, employment, and economic growth, while economic stability, rapid growth, and the protection of intellectual property rights are essential for attracting investment and fostering innovation.
“Speaking on bilateral relations, Ambassador Yu said Nigeria–China cooperation is anchored on the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared development, adding that both countries possess enormous opportunities for deeper economic and strategic collaboration.
“The lecture ended with an interactive session during which participants engaged the Ambassador on issues relating to technology transfer, industrialisation, youth employment, economic cooperation, and opportunities within the orange economy which offered SEC 48 participants valuable insights into China’s development experience,” the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies also wrote.
