President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has met with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is in Nigeria on a two-day working visit.
The President is expected to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding signed during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in China.
Earlier, Yi, who is also visiting other African countries, said his visit is to keep to the tradition of visiting Africa as the first overseas in the New Year.
He maintained the essence of the visit was to discuss on how to deliver on the ten partnership actions reached at the FOCAC Beijing meeting.
He was optimistic that the meeting will produce new common understandings between both countries.
Yi said: “My visit this time is to further the tradition of the Chinese foreign minister visiting Africa as the first overseas visit of the new year.
“It is also to discuss with my African friends how to deliver on the important common understandings reached at the FOCAC Beijing meeting, Nigeria, in particular the 10 partnership actions, and to provide new substance to our comprehensive strategic partnership. I’m sure that our meeting today will produce new common understandings and that you and your colleagues will continue to work for the growth of our relations.”
He also acknowledged the role of Nigeria in Africa and was optimistic that both countries (Nigeria and China) will continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests in pursuit of development and vitalisation, for mutual benefit.
He said: “Nigeria is a major African country with global influence. It is an important member of the global South. As we work for Africa’s peace and development, Nigeria plays an irreplaceable and important role.
“China has all along viewed and developed relations with Nigeria from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, hoping to further our solidarity and cooperation. We will continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and as we both pursue development and vitalisation, continue to pursue cooperation for mutual benefit. Under the guidance of our two presidents, we have achieved abundant fruits in our cooperation across the board, delivering real benefits to our two peoples.
“Last year, Mr. Foreign Minister paid an official visit to China. In Beijing, the first plenary meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee between our two countries was held. We planned our mutually beneficial cooperation across the board.
“You made important contributions to the success of the meeting. And then in September, President Tinubu visited China for the FOCAC Beijing Summit and paid a state visit. It was a full success.
“Our two sides agreed to elevate our relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, ushering in new and brighter prospects for our relations. Nigeria made important contributions to the success of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and China commended.”
