The Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, has said Nigeria’s role in leading Africa’s voice in the world was irreplaceable.
Yi said his visit to Nigeria was the first to an African country after the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) session in China, in 2025.
He stated that his meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Maitama Yusuf Tuggar, was to discuss how to deliver agreements reached in 2024 FOCAC.
“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 said.
The Chinese Foreign Minister lauded Nigeria’s commitment to peace and development of Africa. He stressed that China valued diplomatic relations with Nigeria because of the strategic interests both countries share.
“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,” he stated.
Yi further commended Nigeria’s contribution to the success of 2024 FOCAC. He noted that Xi Jinping’s government was committed to implementing resolutions reached with Nigeria.
“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,” Yi added.
Henzodaily reported that the 2024 FOCAC session as held in September. The forum aimed to strengthen Africa and China diplomacy and ensure mutual commitment to peace and development of China and African countries.