Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday called for the strengthening of the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China.
He said cordial relations between the two countries will foster Africa’s development.
The vice president said President Bola Tinubu attached much value to mutual cooperation between China and Nigeria, stressing that it is consistent with the administration’s foreign policy of boosting investment confidence.
Shettima, who is representing President Tinubu at the ongoing Belt And Road Initiative Forum in Beijing, China, said the President has given impetus to the policy by enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
He is being hosted by his People’s Republic of China counterpart, Vice President Han Zheng, at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Beijing.
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted that Nigeria and China, having celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations, in 2021, must now take their destinies into their own hands.
Noting that an economically stable Nigeria is a blessing to Africa, the vice President said;
“Our mutually beneficial relationship will be further enhanced and upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.”
He added,
“Nigeria is China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa; it is the largest economy in Africa and the most populous country in the African continent. The Belt and Road Initiative is a big beautiful concept that can be deployed to achieve this.”
Shettima drew attention to the burgeoning relationship between Nigeria and China, emphasising that both countries stood to gain mutually from their friendship.
Vice President Zheng assured Shettima of partnership with Nigeria, hinting that President Jinping’s meeting with VP Shettima would enhance mutual trust, practical cooperation and better bilateral relation between the two countries.
Vice President Shettima was later a guest at the State Banquet hosted by President Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan.
At the Belt and Road Initiative Forum, VP Shettima is expected to deliver a paper titled: “Digital Economy As A New Source Of Growth”.
A bilateral meeting with the Chinese President and Prime Minister of Pakistan is also on the VP’s itinerary.
Shettima and other members of the delegation will be presiding over meetings with management of top construction, technology, finance and communication giants in China.
