The president of China, Xi Jinping, on Wednesday, met with Vice President Kashim Shettima at a bilateral meeting in Beijing.
Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima’s media aide, said in a statement that during the meeting, the Chinese president pledged increased investment in Nigeria’s power generation and digital economy and called for the protection of Chinese nationals working in Nigeria.
He stated that he would, in turn, ensure that the Nigeria-China bilateral relation is more robust than before.
According to the statement, President Jinping promised that China would enhance political support and build cooperation in all fields, just as he appreciated Nigeria’s support of one China Policy.
”Pledging to further deepen practical cooperations, the Chinese leader threw his weight of support behind the Renewed Hope Manifesto of President Bola Tinubu and his 8-point economic agenda, adding that China will support Nigeria’s exports, especially as it relates to peanuts and others, even as the China – Africa talent initiative remains key in its cooperation with Nigeria.
”In the area of security, President Jinping promised continued crackdown on terrorists, assuring categorically that China is committed to peace in the Sahel region, more so that its long-standing military trainings and MoUs on joint exercises remain sacrosanct.”
He was quoted as saying:
“Mr Vice President, you spoke about upscaling and further upgrading of our strategic relationship, and I totally agree with you. Nigeria is developing with big potentials. I totally agree with you. Our foreign Ambassadors can stay and work out this upgrading”.
Speaking earlier, Vice President Shettima, who delivered the well-wishes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said:L
“Our relationship commenced about 50 years ago, precisely in 1971 and it has been upgraded to a comprehensive partnership but we crave your indulgence, Your Excellency, to further upgrade this relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership because of the importance we attach to our relationship with China.
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“When we met in South Africa at the China Plus 1 summit, I was very honest and upright with you. Beyond the infrastructural support we are getting, why we love, cherish and respect China is that you treat us with respect and dignity.
“You don’t dictate to us who our friends are. We don’t forget our friends. China stood by us through thick and thin from the post-colonial struggles for independence in Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, the struggle for the emancipation of our people in Southern Africa; China stood shoulder to shoulder with the African continent, we thus appreciate your friendship.”
