By Abuja, Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria marks the 55th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China from 1971 till date.
According to a statement issued today in Abuja by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria values the substantial cooperation with China across critical sectors such as infrastructural development, energy, telecommunications, agriculture, and human capacity building.
Nigeria also recognized the effort of China in the execution of projects such as the Lagos-Ibadan Railway, the Abuja-Kaduna Railway, and numerous road networks, standing as testaments to the fruitful collaboration, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s socio-economic development and the improvement of citizens’ livelihoods.
“Our bilateral engagement is further strengthened by strong people-to-people ties, growing trade volumes, and close coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest, particularly within the frameworks of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the United Nations,” the statement added.
In celebration of this diplomatic relationship, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has exchanged congratulatory messages with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
In his message, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 55 years ago, regardless of changes in the international situation, China and Nigeria have consistently supported each other and advanced hand in hand, with friendship transcending mountains and oceans and deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples.
He particularly noted that since the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024, the two sides have deepened political mutual trust, yielded fruitful results in cooperation across various fields, and closely coordinated on international and regional affairs.
