'China-African forum will boost Nigeria, China partnership'

03 Novembre 2017

Abuja, Nigeria, November  3 (Infosplusgabon) - The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Zhou Pingjian, said that the upcoming Forum on China-African Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting next year in Beijing, China, will boost China-Nigeria partnership.

Mr Pingjian stated this in Abuja at the opening Session of the 3rd International Seminar on China-Africa Cooperation, saying that “the upcoming FOCAC meeting next year in Beijing will be the first of its kind after the 19th CPC National Congress. It is our belief that the Congress will give a fresh boost to China-Africa cooperation and China-Nigeria strategic partnership."

According to him, the Chinese side is willing to comprehensively advance China-Africa Ten Major Cooperation Plans, push forward the implementation of the "Belt and Road" construction in Nigeria and Africa, support Nigeria in implementing its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and support Africa in implementing the Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The envoy said the 19th CPC National Congress last month was of great significance, and has enhanced China's confidence on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics stressing that while ensuring China's sovereignty, security and development interests, China will remain committed to reform and opening up and adopt a mutually-beneficial and higher-quality approach to opening up.

"As General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out in his report to the 19th CPC National Congress, China will not close its door to the world; it will only become more and more open," he said.

He added: "As a Nigerian saying goes, 'Hands washed together come cleaner than a single hand washed by itself.' China's opening up is not a zero-sum game but win-win cooperation. China will not set unfair clauses or take advantage of others. China will be guided by the principle of upholding justice while pursuing shared interests and the principle of sincerity, honesty, affinity, and good faith, work to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Nigeria, Africa and other developing countries."

In his speech , Director for Centre for China Studies , Mr. Charles Onunaiju, said the summit was coming at a time when the outcomes of the 2nd summit of heads of state and governments of the Forum on China-African Cooperation which held in South Africa on December 2015 have almost been fully implemented.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/YHO/GABON 2017

© Copyright Infosplusgabon