President Bola Tinubu’s arrival for the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will mark a new dawn in Nigeria-China cooperation, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, Director, Trade and Economic Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has said.
Akinremi said this while answering reporters’ questions ahead of Tinubu’s arrival in Beijing, China on Sunday for the forum that is expected to begin on Sept. 4 and end on Sept. 6.
He reiterated the importance of Tinubu’s state visit, saying it will further deepen the longstanding cooperation between Nigeria and China.
According to him, the visit will focus on strengthening the economic, political, and cultural ties between the both countries.
Akinremi said, “This is a multi-sectoral visit for President Tinubu; the Chinese government is honoring him with such official visit at this time, by recognising Nigeria as number one in Africa.”
“Nigeria and China have enjoyed a robust relationship spanning not less than 50 years with Nigeria being China’s number one trading partner in Africa.
“This visit coincides with the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, where Nigeria is participating alongside other African nations.
“FOCAC is crucial platform for strengthening economic, political and cultural ties between China and African nations; the forum established in 2000 has become significant mechanism for ensuring win-win China and African countries cooperation.”
The director explained that Tinubu’s visit is also expected to specifically yield benefits for Nigeria in terms of investments in infrastructure and technology development to boost the economy.
