FOCAC: Nigeria Plays Irreplaceable Role In Africa – Chinese Minister

The foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, has said that Nigeria plays an irreplaceable and important role in Africa’s peace and development, adding that his country will continue to engage Nigeria for mutual benefits.

Wang Yi stated this yesterday during a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja, stressing that his visit to Nigeria is to discuss how to deliver on the ten partnership actions reached at the September 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that was held in Beijing.

The foreign minister, who is also visiting other African countries, said his visit is to keep to the tradition of visiting Africa as the first overseas country in the new year.

He said: “Nigeria is a major African country with global influence. It is an important member of the global South. As we work for Africa’s peace and development, Nigeria plays an irreplaceable and important role.”

He hoped the meeting would produce new common understandings between both countries.

“It is also to discuss with my African friends how to deliver on the important common understandings reached at the FOCAC Beijing meeting, Nigeria, particularly the 10 partnership actions, and to provide new substance to our comprehensive strategic partnership. I’m sure that our meeting today will produce new common understandings and that you and your colleagues will continue to work to grow our relations,” he said.

He was also optimistic that both countries will continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests, pursuing development and vitalisation for mutual benefit.

He said: “China has always viewed and developed relations with Nigeria from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, hoping to further our solidarity and cooperation. We will continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning our respective core interests. As we both pursue development and vitalisation, we will continue to pursue cooperation for mutual benefit. Under the guidance of our two presidents, we have achieved abundant fruits in our cooperation across the board, delivering real benefits to our two people.

“Last year, Mr Foreign Minister paid an official visit to China. In Beijing, the first plenary meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee between our two countries was held. We planned our mutually beneficial cooperation across the board.

“You made important contributions to the success of the meeting. President Tinubu visited China for the FOCAC Beijing Summit in September and paid a state visit. It was a full success.

“Our two sides agreed to elevate our relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, ushering in new and brighter prospects for our relations. Nigeria made important contributions to the success of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and China commended it.”