By Miriam Humbe
On September 3, 2024, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was in China for a State visit at the invitation of Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China and to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The following was contained in a joint statement issued between the Peoples Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership and building a high level China-Nigeria community with shared future.
During the visit, Presidents Xi Jinping and Tinubu had a cordial discussion, with an in-depth exchange on China-Nigeria relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.
The two Presidents agreed that both countries stood at a new historical starting point as significant representatives of major developing countries and emerging economies.
Their strengthened strategic cooperation would propel a new dynamic for China-Africa relations in the new era and lead the Global South to march together.
To consolidate mutual trust, expand cooperation and strengthen coordination, the two Presidents had agreed to upgrade the China-Nigeria relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and build a High-level China-Nigeria Community with a shared future.
I. Building High-level Strategic Mutual Trust
The two sides agreed that, over half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, both countries have shown respect to each other and treated each other as equals. The relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of international changes, the mutual trust has been enhanced continuously, and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful outcomes. The two countries have embarked on a path of seeking strength through unity for a win-win cooperation.
The two sides reaffirmed their firm support to each other on issues related to their respective core interests and major concerns, particularly sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Chinese side supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of Nigeria and the efforts made by Nigeria to maintain national unity, peace, security, and social stability, as well as promote economic development and improve people’s welfare.
The Nigerian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.
Nigeria opposes any form of “Taiwan Independence” or interference in the internal affairs of China and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.
The two sides spoke highly of the leading roles played by FOCAC in advancing the quality of cooperation between China and Africa over the past 24 years since, i.e. establishment of FOCAC, believing that the successful convening of the Beijing Summit of FOCAC opened a new chapter of unity and cooperation between China and Africa. Guided by the Declaration of the Beijing Summit on Jointly Building a High-level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future and Action Plan, the two sides are willing to deepen their mutually beneficial practical cooperation between China and Africa to achieve common development and prosperity.
The two sides reiterate their firm support to each other in independently seeking a development path that suits their own national interest and will further strengthen exchanges on experiences of governance.
Nigeria highly commends that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have made great transformation through a Chinese path to modernization, and subscribes to the opinion that the Chinese path to modernization expands options of development and solutions of practices for mankind in seeking modernization.
They also commended each other’s efforts towards the prioritization of sustainable development and economic growth through the implementation of various developmental initiatives aimed at achieving poverty alleviation and enhanced food security.
The two sides spoke highly of the overall planning, coordinating and driving roles played by the Intergovernmental Committee and its Sub-committees between China and Nigeria and decided to continue their active coordination under this mechanism, as well as maintain close communication on the convening of the second Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee and sessions of its Sub-committees.
Nigeria applauded and supported the vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Both sides pledged to support each other’s efforts in multilateral affairs, including the UN, the G20 and BRICS. Both sides agreed to support the increased calls for UN Security Council reforms with balanced geographical representation to reflect current geo-political realities.
Both sides agreed that human rights, including the right to development, are a common cause for all humanity and opposed the politicisation of human rights issues, i.e. the interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.
China appreciated the efforts of Nigeria in enhancing regional peace and solidarity and promoting regional integration, with a strong emphasis on respecting democracy, good governance, and the rights of citizens.
China supported the West African countries in addressing differences through friendly dialogue and consultations and to carry forward the regional integration. In this regard, China also urged other international actors to refrain from actions that could turn the region into a space for geopolitical contestation.
II. Enhancing High-level Cooperation of Development
Guided by the Cooperation Plan between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Jointly Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, both countries remained committed to advancing high-level cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC Conference outcomes with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Agenda of the Nigerian Government to jointly promote high-level practical cooperation across board.
China welcomed Nigeria to expand trade between the two countries through platforms such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) and the China Import and Export Fair (the Canton Fair), Lagos and Abuja International Trade Fairs, the Annual Nigerian Mining Week and through new channels such as e-commerce and overseas warehouses in China. China supports the import of more quality products from Nigeria into its market.
Nigeria was willing to strengthen its partnership with China in the development of energy and mineral resources and to work with Chinese companies to set up plants in Nigeria to meet local consumption and export needs. China would encourage more competent Chinese companies to invest in Nigeria to contribute to the diversified and dynamic development of Nigeria’s economy.
The two countries would seize the opportunities of developing productive capacity, further deepen overall reform, jointly explore cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green development, blue economy and agricultural modernisation, and foster new growth drivers in cooperation.
Nigeria welcomed the Global Initiative for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Global Initiative on Data Security proposed by the Chinese side and appreciated China’s efforts in promoting the rights of developing countries in artificial intelligence, network, data and other fields.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation on the infrastructure connectivity between the two countries. China proactively supports Nigeria in developing its domestic infrastructure construction, including transportation, ports and free trade zones, towards achieving integrated development and connectivity for industries.
The two sides would make joint efforts to fully support Nigeria’s geographical and development advantage in West Africa to establish Africa’s flagship projects on cross-national and cross-regional cooperation.
The two sides encouraged flexible and diverse regional and monetary and financial cooperation such as local currency swaps, to facilitate trade between China and Nigeria and make contributions to global financial stability.
The two countries agreed to carry out international cooperation on financial intelligence on anti-monetary laundering/ countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) and support Nigeria’s efforts to safeguard the order of its financial and foreign exchange markets and to crack down on financial crimes, including money laundering.
The two sides committed to supporting the WTO focused multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, create a transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for cooperation between the two countries.
The two sides further support the establishment of more friendly relations between Chinese and Nigerian provinces/states and municipalities with a view to expand and deepen cooperation at the sub-national level.
The two sides committed to stepping up protection of lawful rights and interests of each other’s citizens on their territories and create a favourable business environment for each other’s companies.
III. Strengthening High-level Mutual Assistance on Security
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation and jointly uphold peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom, the common values of humanity, and commit to a new approach to international relations focusing on win-win cooperation.
China commends Nigeria’s leading role in ECOWAS and its efforts towards bringing stability to the region, it supports Nigeria to play a strong leading role in the regional affairs including fight against terrorism and managing differences. The two sides agreed to stay committed to safeguarding peace, security and stability in the region, including the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea.
China supports Nigeria in its capacity building, such as upgrading its science and technology for its military equipment and intelligence gathering expertise, to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and abroad, as well as at the regional and international levels.
The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between security agencies to enhance their capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests and make joint efforts to maintain regional and world peace.
IV. Promoting High-level Mutual Learning
The two sides highly commend the fruitful outcomes of cooperation in the areas of culture, tourism, education, youth, media and sport. They will continue to explore the advantages of respective diversified cultures and ancient histories.
Through mutual exchanges, mutual learning and mutual understanding, they will continue to enhance the bond and friendship between the two peoples, and promote mutual trust, interest sharing and common progress.
The two sides were willing to continue to build cultural brands such as the Happy Chinese New Year, China-Nigeria Culture Week, China-Nigeria Film Festival and Abuja International Art Fair.
The two sides will strengthen mutual visits and exchanges between art groups and personnel, promote human resources training in the fields creative culture. The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in culture and tourism such as publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums and tourism promotion.
The two sides agreed that during President Tinubu’s official visit to China, both countries had reached a broad consensus, signed a series of partnership agreements and MoUs. President Tinubu’s official visit to China was a huge success, and the China-Nigeria relations have advanced to a new stage.
