BEIJING: China is willing to work with Africa to ensure that the Global Security Initiative takes root on the continent and jointly build a peaceful and secure path to modernization, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.
China is ready to join hands with Africa to build a strong China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, he added.
Wang, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference with his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Tuggar.
He stressed that China will firmly support Africans in seeking African solutions to African problems.
“The African people are the true masters of the African continent and have the wisdom, ability and right to solve their own problems,” Wang said.
He also noted that China and Nigeria should continue to firmly support each other on issues related to their major concerns, maintaining their good brotherly ties of mutual trust. This collaboration, Wang said, would inject momentum and confidence into the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation and the modernization of Africa.
Three achievements
Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the development of China-Nigeria relations has achieved three remarkable results, Wang said.
First, the relationship has taken a new step in its positioning. The two heads of state jointly announced the strengthening of China-Nigeria relations towards a comprehensive strategic partnership, noted Wang.
Second, a new solidarity and collaboration platform was created. The successful holding of the first plenary session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee facilitated the improvement and coordinated progress of China-Nigeria cooperation, he said.
Third, international cooperation has reached new heights. The two sides have closely coordinated their international and regional affairs, working together to promote the collective rise, development and revitalization of the Global South.
Wang pointed out that over the past half century since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Nigeria have constantly deepened friendly and pragmatic cooperation based on mutual respect and equality. This relationship has become a successful example of South-South cooperation and an important benchmark for China-Africa cooperation.
He stressed the need to maintain the “strategic nature” of China-Nigeria relations under the leadership of the two countries’ leaders.
In addition, the two countries should emphasize the “exemplary nature” of their relations by continuing to “take the lead,” he added.
Wang also stressed the importance of leveraging the “complementary nature” of their relationship by aligning their respective strengths and exploring new areas of cooperation, such as clean energy, green mineral financing, etc.
Finally, China and Nigeria should expand the “comprehensive nature” of their relations by promoting coordinated development in sectors such as trade, agriculture, culture, defense, science and technology, space exploration and others, the Chinese foreign minister said.
Wang expressed confidence that with joint efforts, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Nigeria will enjoy an even better future.
