China will make concerted efforts with Nigeria to enhance
relations between the two countries, visiting Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing said on Monday.
When meeting Nigerian Foreign Minister, Oluyemi Adeniji, Li said
Sino-Nigerian ties have developed smoothly since the two
countries established diplomatic relations 35 years ago.
He said during a visit to China last year, Nigerian President
Olusegun Obasanjo and President Hu Jintao
reached consensus on establishing a strategic partnership of
political mutual-trust, economic mutual-benefit, and mutual
assistance on international affairs, thus bringing bilateral ties
to a new high.
Adeniji, for his part, said his country is willing to maintain
the present momentum in relations.
The Nigerian government will firmly adhere to the one-China
policy and promote common development of the two countries, he
added.
To continuously boost Sino-Nigerian strategic partnership, the
two sides have reached agreement in four key areas:
-- Enhancing political exchanges and making good use of
mechanisms such as consultation between their foreign
ministries;
-- Deepening and broadening trade and economic cooperation to
realize trade balance;
As an important trade partner and investment destination in
Africa, Nigeria welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the
country in the fields of agriculture, energy, electric power,
infrastructures, communication and satellite research;
-- Promoting exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture
and education;
China will continue to provide scholarship for Nigerian
students, while Nigeria hopes that the teaching of the Chinese
language could be strengthened there; and
-- Strengthening consultation and coordination in international
affairs, including human rights, peacekeeping missions, development
aid and prevention of HIV/AIDS, through the United Nations and
other multilateral organizations to safeguard the rights and
interests of developing countries.
Nigeria praises and welcomes a document recently released by the
Chinese government on its policy towards Africa. It also hopes that
China could continuously support and participate in the continent's
peace and development process.
The two sides have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation
in the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and to
accelerate the progress of Sino-African relations.
After the meeting, the two foreign ministers signed a Memorandum
of Understanding on the establishment of a strategic partnership,
as well as an accord on economic and technical cooperation.
(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2006)