Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Tuesday advocated a stronger strategic partnership between Nigeria and China as according to him, it remains key to Africa’s development.
Shettima who is representing President Tinubu at the ongoing ‘Belt And Road Initiative Forum’ in Beijing, China, assured that efforts are already on in this direction on the part of Nigeria just as he said since assuming office, President Tinubu has strategically tinkered with the country’s foreign policy to drive and boost investors’ confidence.
He was hosted by his People’s Republic of China counterpart, Vice President Han Zheng, at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Beijing.
The vice president noted that to augment this, President Tinubu has walked the talk by creating levellers for the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
He expressed profound gratitude for the warm reception accorded his delegation, noting that Nigeria and China, having celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2021, must now take their destinies into their own hands.
Declaring that the rest of Africa stands to gain from a successful Nigeria, Shettima said: “Our mutually beneficial relationship will be further enhanced and upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
“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.”
The vice president drew attention to the burgeoning relationship between Nigeria and China, stating that both countries stood to gain mutually from their friendship.
On his part, Vice President Zheng assured his Nigerian counterpart of continued partnership with Nigeria, hinting that President Jinping’s meeting with VP Shettima would enhance political mutual trust, advance practical cooperation and better develop the bilateral relation between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by the vice president’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima was later a guest at the State Banquet hosted by President Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan.
The statement said that Shettima is expected to proceed to the National Convention Centre to deliver his paper titled, ‘Digital Economy As A New Source Of Growth’ as attention and focus shift to the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Initiative Forum at the Great Hall in Beijing billed for Wednesday.
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