By our Correspondent
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Yu Dunhai, on Thursday, met with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, in Abuja, where the two discussed the existing relationship between China and the western Africa regional bloc.
During the meeting, Ambassador Yu highlighted the significance of long-standing partnership between China and ECOWAS, noting that the regional bloc has, over the past 50 years, made substantial contributions to regional integration, peace and stability, and democratic governance in West Africa.
Yu described ECOWAS as “the most influential sub-regional organization in Africa” and emphasized that China’s cooperation with the bloc stands as a model of South-South collaboration and a strong example of China–Africa friendship.
He cited the construction of the ECOWAS headquarters complex built with Chinese assistance as a landmark of the partnership and reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening development cooperation with the regional bloc.
He remarked that the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan underscore China’s readiness to share more development opportunities globally, including through the accelerated implementation of zero-tariff measures for African countries, which he said would create new opportunities for West Africa.
Responding, President Touray thanked China for its continued support to the institutional strengthening and capacity-building of ECOWAS. He praised China’s development progress and reiterated the Commission’s support for the four major global initiatives proposed by China.
Touray expressed ECOWAS’ readiness to deepen engagement with Beijing and “open a new chapter” in bilateral cooperation.
Highlight of the event was a formal presentation of a China-made vehicle by the Chinese envoy to the office of the Commission’s President.
(GSF)
