From January 8th to 9th, H.E. Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister and Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, completed a highly successful official visit to Nigeria. His visit comes four years after his last trip and marks a significant moment in China-Nigeria relations, coinciding with the 25th Anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the commencement of the FOCAC Beijing Summit 2024 initiatives.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Foreign Minister Geoffrey Tuggar, resulting in substantial agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and charting a path for future cooperation. This visit serves as a continuation of high-level exchanges between China and Nigeria, following last year’s visits by President Tinubu and Foreign Minister Tuggar to China.
A Historic Visit to Forge Stronger Bonds
This diplomatic mission follows a long-standing tradition where China’s Foreign Minister visits Africa first each year, reaffirming the deep-rooted friendship and mutual support between China and the African continent. This tradition, spanning over 35 years, underscores the importance of China-Africa relations in the broader context of international diplomacy. The visit also highlights China’s commitment to fulfilling the strategic objectives outlined by both countries’ leaders, focusing on advancing regional peace, development, and stability.
Expanding Strategic Cooperation
In a statement, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that under the leadership of the two Presidents, China and Nigeria have achieved remarkable progress, including enhanced political relations, collaborative platforms, and strengthened international cooperation. The Nigerian government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the One-China principle and its support for China’s national reunification efforts. Both countries also agreed to join forces in combating regional security threats, particularly terrorism, in West Africa and the Sahel region.
Building a Future of Prosperity Together
The visit also set the stage for continued collaboration in areas crucial to both nations’ growth. Highlighting key infrastructure projects like the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Ogun Free Trade Zone, and the Kano-Kaduna railway, Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed to these initiatives as pillars of China-Nigeria cooperation, which have already made a tangible difference in Nigeria’s economic development.
China reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s modernization, including ongoing partnerships in new energy, agriculture, mining, and trade. Additionally, the visit saw the renewal of a 15 billion yuan currency swap agreement between the People’s Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria and the announcement of a €245 million loan for the Kano-Kaduna railway project. These financial commitments are expected to boost Nigeria’s infrastructure development and enhance bilateral economic ties.
A Future of Joint Leadership for the Global South
Both sides are determined to deepen their strategic partnership, aligning their development agendas to foster shared prosperity. The visit highlights China’s pledge to continue being a trusted partner for Nigeria, especially in advancing the collective interests of the Global South. As both nations work together to address historical injustices and improve global governance, they aim to play a central role in reshaping international relations in the years to come.
In conclusion, Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit has not only strengthened the China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership but has also set the stage for even greater collaboration and shared success in the future. With unwavering mutual support, China and Nigeria are poised to lead the way in shaping a better, more equitable world order.
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