The Chinese Government has assured Nigerians of its determination to
expand its investments in critical areas of Nigeria’s economy to boost
the burgeoning bilateral ties between both countries.
expand its investments in critical areas of Nigeria’s economy to boost
the burgeoning bilateral ties between both countries.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Zhou
Pingjian, disclosed this while making his remarks at the Forum of
China-Nigeria Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation in Abuja at
the weekend, even as he advised Nigeria to participate in the
forthcoming summit of the Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
billed for September in Beijing, China.
Pingjian, disclosed this while making his remarks at the Forum of
China-Nigeria Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation in Abuja at
the weekend, even as he advised Nigeria to participate in the
forthcoming summit of the Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
billed for September in Beijing, China.
The Chinese government is said to be preparing to make available
about $100 billion, during the Beijing summit, from which Nigeria and
other African countries can draw resources to improve their
infrastructure and boost trade.
about $100 billion, during the Beijing summit, from which Nigeria and
other African countries can draw resources to improve their
infrastructure and boost trade.
Pingjian noted that China has invested heavily infrastructure
development in Nigeria, saying “in Nigeria, the Abuja-Kaduna railway,
Africa’s modern railway with the Chinese technology and standards, was
commissioned in July 2016. The Abuja rail mass transit project, the
first urban railway in West Africa was commissioned in July 2018. The
Lagos-Ibadan railway broke ground in March 2017.
development in Nigeria, saying “in Nigeria, the Abuja-Kaduna railway,
Africa’s modern railway with the Chinese technology and standards, was
commissioned in July 2016. The Abuja rail mass transit project, the
first urban railway in West Africa was commissioned in July 2018. The
Lagos-Ibadan railway broke ground in March 2017.
“The construction of the Lekki Deep Water Port, the largest port in
West Africa, and the Zungeru hydro-power station, the largest hydro-power station in Nigeria are well under way. In the past year alone, the two
sides have concluded concessionary financial arrangements to support
five more major projects in Nigeria. Tens of thousands of jobs have been
created for Nigerians by projects contracted by Chinese enterprises or
partly financed by the Chinese side.
West Africa, and the Zungeru hydro-power station, the largest hydro-power station in Nigeria are well under way. In the past year alone, the two
sides have concluded concessionary financial arrangements to support
five more major projects in Nigeria. Tens of thousands of jobs have been
created for Nigerians by projects contracted by Chinese enterprises or
partly financed by the Chinese side.
“As the largest developing country in the world, China takes deep
pride in its ever stronger partnership with Nigeria, the largest
developing country in Africa. It is our firm belief that the
China-Nigeria cooperation is brotherly south-south cooperation between
two equals and is indeed mutually beneficial. China remains committed to
stepping up its cooperation with Nigeria in agriculture, manufacturing,
industrial capacity and investment, infrastructure, energy, culture and
people -to –people exchanges, and other areas,” he said.
pride in its ever stronger partnership with Nigeria, the largest
developing country in Africa. It is our firm belief that the
China-Nigeria cooperation is brotherly south-south cooperation between
two equals and is indeed mutually beneficial. China remains committed to
stepping up its cooperation with Nigeria in agriculture, manufacturing,
industrial capacity and investment, infrastructure, energy, culture and
people -to –people exchanges, and other areas,” he said.
He noted that five years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping, proposed
the initiative of the building the Silk and Road Economic Belt and the
21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which is an expanded part of the FOCAC,
stressing that the Belt and Road Initiative is open to all countries.
“Though originating from China, it belongs to the whole world. Africa,
being part of the historical and natural extension of the Belt and Road,
has been an important participant in the initiative. The cooperation
between China and Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative will
generate more resources and means, expand the market and space for
African development, and broaden its development prospects,” he added.
the initiative of the building the Silk and Road Economic Belt and the
21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which is an expanded part of the FOCAC,
stressing that the Belt and Road Initiative is open to all countries.
“Though originating from China, it belongs to the whole world. Africa,
being part of the historical and natural extension of the Belt and Road,
has been an important participant in the initiative. The cooperation
between China and Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative will
generate more resources and means, expand the market and space for
African development, and broaden its development prospects,” he added.
In his reaction the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on
Nigeria-China Relations, Yusuf Buba Yakubu, said the forty-seven years
of bilateral relations between China and Nigeria have delivered tangible
benefits for both countries.
Nigeria-China Relations, Yusuf Buba Yakubu, said the forty-seven years
of bilateral relations between China and Nigeria have delivered tangible
benefits for both countries.
“China is today Nigeria’s largest project contractor and second
largest trading partner and a major source of investments. As a direct
benefit of the FOCAC outcome Nigeria’s infrastructural gaps are
receiving significant attention with the overhaul of the nation’s
infrastructure and agriculture modernisation programme.
largest trading partner and a major source of investments. As a direct
benefit of the FOCAC outcome Nigeria’s infrastructural gaps are
receiving significant attention with the overhaul of the nation’s
infrastructure and agriculture modernisation programme.
“As we approach the September FOCAC summit, it is my belief that
outcomes will be directed at redoubling current achievements and expand
Nigeria’s window for capacity building programme in China especially in
the area of SMEs development.
outcomes will be directed at redoubling current achievements and expand
Nigeria’s window for capacity building programme in China especially in
the area of SMEs development.
“Our duties as policy makers are to ensure that effective laws are in
place to protect foreign investments and consolidate on the existing
relationship of both nations,” he said.
place to protect foreign investments and consolidate on the existing
relationship of both nations,” he said.
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello,
represented by Umar Jibrin, said that Nigeria will continue to open its
doors for more Chinese investments, adding that China has supported
infrastructural development in the FCT and in Nigeria in general.
represented by Umar Jibrin, said that Nigeria will continue to open its
doors for more Chinese investments, adding that China has supported
infrastructural development in the FCT and in Nigeria in general.
