People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping walks with Federal Republic of Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan in Beijing on July 10, 2013., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Nigeria, China sign pacts on trade, others
WEDNESDAY, 10 JULY 2013 00:00
BY WOLE SHADARE (LAGOS), MOHAMMED ABUBAKAR AND OMOTOLA OLORUNTOBI (ABUJA)
Nigerian Guardian
AS part of his economic shuttle to China, President Goodluck Jonathan and his host, President Xi Jinping of China, yesterday endorsed in Beijing, five agreements covering financial, trade, economic, technical and cultural relations between the two countries.
The agreements, which were initialed after bilateral talks between the two leaders and their delegations, include the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Financial Cooperation in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Development and a Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project.
Others were a new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Nigeria and China, an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries and an Agreement for the Prevention of the Theft, Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.
But the President used the opportunity to regret the recent forceful change of government in Egypt and called on the ruling leaders in that country to work towards restoring the country to democratic rule.
Speaking before the commencement of the talks, President Jonathan thanked President Jinping and the people of China for the warm reception accorded him and his wife, Patience, since their arrival in Beijing on Tuesday.
A statement from the Office of the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted the President as re-stating the commitment of Nigerian government to sustaining and developing the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their people.
He said in spite of the many positive developments in bilateral relations between the countries in recent years, there was still ample scope for increased trade and direct investment from China in Nigeria.
President Jinping assured President Jonathan that China would continue to work with Nigeria in all possible areas in furtherance of the development agenda of both countries.
Earlier in the day, President Jonathan met and invited senior executives of several Chinese conglomerates to initiate fresh investments in Nigeria or increase existing ones, saying that the Federal Government was committed to doing all within its powers to expand Nigeria’s domestic manufacturing capacity.
Those the President met with included top executives of Huawei Technologies Limited, China Great Wall Industries, ZTE Corporation, the State Grid Corporation of China, the NIC/SINOPEC/CGC Consortium, the China Railway Construction Corporation and the China Harbour Engineering Corporation.
At a breakfast meeting with African Ambassadors to China, President Jonathan reaffirmed his conviction that African countries needed to strengthen their institutions of democratic governance to guarantee political stability and sustained development.
He said democratic governance ought to be nurtured and encouraged until it takes firmer root across the continent, adding that the African Union must continue to stand against unconstitutional changes of government in member-states.
Noting that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has become a useful framework for engagement between Africa and China, President Jonathan said the African Union might consider the establishment of a representative office in Beijing to facilitate closer ties between the Asian economic giant and African nations.
Abati further noted that President Jonathan would meet with Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Mr. Zhang Dejiang, tomorrow for further bilateral talks.
‘What Nigeria will gain from Jonathan’s visit to China’
WEDNESDAY, 10 JULY 2013 19:35 OGHOGHO OBAYUWANA
As President Goodluck Jonathan leads a high powered Nigerian multi-sectoral delegation to China, with a desire to build on the strategic relations started eight years ago, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Deng Boqing speaks with Foreign Affairs Editor, OGHOGHO OBAYUWANA, on Nigeria’s business with China today.
WHAT is the current state of the Sino-Nigeria bilateral relations?
China-Nigeria diplomatic relations enters the 43rd year in 2013. Ever since the beginning, we on both sides have been endeavouring to promote our communication and cooperation. In 2005, our close ties were upgraded to a strategic partnership. Ever since then, our relations have witnessed rapid development. High-level exchanges remain active and our political mutual trust enhanced. Also, the economic ties have been strengthened, bringing mutual benefits to people of our two countries. People-to-people communications and cultural exchanges between our two sides have been fully dynamic, ensuring vigorous interaction and enhancing mutual understanding between our two peoples.
This visit by President Jonathan to your country, what are the expectations of the two countries? What are the likely milestones that could be described as achievements when a review is done?
Well, at the invitation of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Jonathan is paying the visit from July 9 to 12. It has been five years since the Nigerian President visited China. During this current visit, it will be the first time for our top leaders to meet after the new Chinese President assumed office. During his stay in China, President Jonathan is to meet his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, and other Chinese leaders. The two parties will exchange views on bilateral relations as well as on international and regional issues of common concerns, consider new channels and approaches to boost China-Nigeria cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields, and sign a few documents of cooperation.
Now, I strongly believe President Jonathan’s visit to China will further consolidate the traditional friendship between China and Nigeria, enhance strategic mutual trust, expand pragmatic bilateral cooperation as well as promote the further development of China-ECOWAS and China-Africa relations. There are agreements lined up to be signed for infrastructural development, power and much else. They are for the overall benefit of the two countries as we will be able to see later.
Where are the strengths of the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, what are the identified areas of cooperation?
Over the past 42 years, China and Nigeria have been making great achievements. Our two countries have been forging ever-closer economic ties. Nigeria is now the third largest trade partner of China in Africa. In 2012, the trade volume between the two countries reached USD 10.57 billion, and by the end of last year, China’s non-financial direct investment in Nigeria accumulated to USD 8.7 billion.
In the financial sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria is the very first one in Africa to include Chinese currency RMB in its foreign exchange reserves, with a view to building strategic and mutually beneficial relationship with key Chinese financial institutions.
Our cooperation in science and technology has made Nigeria the first African country that boasts of satellite navigation capacity. In 2011, the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) launched Nigerian Communications Satellite 1R, which has thereafter met Nigeria’s requirements on communications, broadcast, navigation and broadband access and also provided services for Africa, Europe and Asian continents. Like I said, people-to-people communication and cultural exchanges are an integral part of our bilateral relations. Both countries enjoy ancient civilisations and splendid cultures, and we could often find similarities in our value systems and world views. However, we still want to know more about each other. In the just concluded African Arts and Crafts Expo, the Chinese delegation showcased the exquisite Chinese handicrafts, most of which are acknowledged as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage; Two Confucius Centres have been founded in Nigerian, namely in Lagos University and Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Besides, a “Nigerian Culture Week” in China last year impressed quite many Chinese people.
What is the extent of involvement of Nigerians in the operations of Chinese companies in Nigeria so that there can be indigenous ownership of the projects, etc?
The Chinese government always encourages Chinese companies going abroad to localise their teams and shoulder due social responsibilities. And indeed, most Chinese companies in Nigeria have been aware of the importance of localisation ever since they came here. And accordingly, they have been trying to integrate the local people into their projects. So far, Chinese companies in Nigeria have employed over 100,000 Nigerians, and a lot of Nigerian employees have been acknowledged for their contributions to Chinese companies here in Nigeria.
Let me give you an example. Once I was invited to a prize-awarding ceremony held by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Limited in honour of its employees who have been working in the company for over 10 years. What impressed me most is that, among the 10 employees getting the award, five of them are Nigerian natives and by the time they had already been part of the management of the company. Localisation is one of the secrets of CCECC’s success here in Nigeria.
What kind of help is China offering to Nigeria in order to address the country’s security problem and rising insurgency?
China and Nigeria have a lot in common. Both our cultures attach much importance to ‘forgiveness, tolerance and resilience.’ Nigerian government has already taken various means, including dialogue, to tackle the current situation of insurgency. I believe the Nigerian government and people will work out its way to solve the problem.
During the years, China has engaged in promoting infrastructure building here and increased direct investment in Nigeria, creating jobs for Nigerian people and boosting the economic development of Nigeria. In a sense, all these contributions help stabilise the Nigerian society.
Can you give us an update of the collaborative efforts between the Nigerian and Chinese governments to assist in bringing back the Nigerians trapped in Chinese jails? It’s been quite a while the programme started?
Negotiations between relevant departments are underway. Personally, I sincerely hope that both sides could reach agreement as soon as possible. But I should point out that this could be very complex, as it involves judicial procedures and calls for the cooperation and coordination among different ministries, for example, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Justice, etc.
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