By our Correspondent
China has pledged the sum of RMB 200 million in grant assistance to Nigeria to support the implementation of development projects jointly agreed upon by the two governments, further underscoring the deepening China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, disclosed this on Thursday when he met with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed in Abuja.
According to Ambassador Yu, this is coming as the two countries marked 55 years of diplomatic relations last February, with both countries seeking to deepen strategic cooperation across economic development and other areas of mutual interest.
He noted that bilateral relations between the two countries had remained at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971.
The Chinese envoy attributed the sustained growth of the relationship to the strategic guidance provided by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership had entered a new stage of high-quality development.
Yu stressed that China and Nigeria have maintained close communication and coordination while working to implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state, as well as the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.
He said the objective was to translate high-level political commitments into concrete cooperation outcomes that would directly benefit the peoples of both countries.
“China will provide RMB 200 million in grant assistance to Nigeria for the implementation of projects agreed upon by the two governments,” Ambassador Yu said.
The grant, he added, would further support Nigeria’s national development and economic growth.
Responding, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for what he described as concrete support for Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He said the grant demonstrated China’s sense of responsibility as a major country and reflected the depth of friendship between Nigeria and China.
Dr. Ahmed further assured that Nigeria would make effective use of the assistance and work with China to implement the bilateral cooperation agreements reached by the two governments.
The Permanent Secretary said such cooperation would further strengthen Nigeria-China relations and deliver greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.
According to him, the latest commitment reinforces the growing emphasis on practical development cooperation within the Nigeria-China strategic partnership, particularly as both countries enter a new phase of their 55-year diplomatic relationship. (GSF)