…as stakeholders say partnership key to economic and cultural growth
By Gloria Ikibah
As a fallout of the just concluded Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing, China, which had President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria in attendance, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has held a seminar focused on “Taking New Opportunities for China-Nigeria Cooperation in Deepening Reform in a New Era”.
During this recent visit, in addition to economic cooperation, President Xi Jinping of China and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership and this agreement is expected to deepen political trust and strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, and international diplomacy.
In his welcome address the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yu Dunhai emphasized the strengthening relationship between China and Nigeria.
The event gave insights into China’s ongoing reforms and their relevance to Nigeria, calling attention to the deep potential for collaboration between the two countries.
The Chinese Ambassador referenced the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which concluded in July 2023. This meeting according to him, emphasized comprehensive reforms aimed at advancing Chinese modernization.
Ambassador Yu, also explained that these reforms, which included over 300 key measures, play a crucial role in China’s continued development, even as he drew parallels between China’s past and Nigeria’s current situation, and stressed how similar reforms could benefit Nigeria’s growth.
He highlighted the historic significance of the Third Plenary Sessions in China’s transformation and said the 1978 session, which introduced reforms and opened China’s economy to the world, was pivotal in moving the country toward modernization.
Adding that over the last 45 years, these reforms have driven China’s rapid growth, raising its per capita GDP from $200 in 1978 to $12,000 by 2000.
The ambassador noted that Nigeria, with a current per capita GDP of approximately $17,000, is well-positioned for significant economic advancements, provided it adopts similar reform and development strategies.
Yu underscored the importance of continuous reforms, explaining that outdated policies can become obstacles to progress.
China’s success, according to him, lies in its ability to adapt and reform when necessary.
“This constant evolution has qualified China to become the world’s second-largest economy, surpassing Japan in 2010, and Ambassador Yu believes that Nigeria, with its large youthful population and abundant talent, can achieve similar milestones through dedicated reforms and sustained efforts toward modernization.
Another thing which was part of the conversation of Ambassador Yu, was the importance of opening Nigeria to the world, by drawing from China’s historical lessons, he cautioned against isolation, stressing that countries must learn from others while retaining their unique cultures and identities.
He cited China’s experience with electric vehicles (EVs) as an example of how opening up and fostering competition can drive innovation, especially as of today, China produces over half of the world’s EVs, a remarkable achievement he attributed to the country’s open market and global competition.
The Chinese ambassador therefore expressed optimism about the future of China-Nigeria relations, stating that both countries stand to benefit from deeper collaboration, even as he emphasized that his mission was to promote stronger ties between the two nations, working closely with various stakeholders in Nigeria to achieve mutual growth.
In his remarks, President of the China Alumni Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Sulaiman, emphasized the importance of cultural identity and partnerships in fostering national development.
Mohammed who is also the National President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), drawing comparisons between Nigeria and China, underscored how China’s economic rise has been driven by a strong adherence to its cultural heritage.
He noted that many African countries, including Nigeria, have struggled with development because they often drift from their cultural roots in an attempt to mimic foreign models.
Suleiman who opined that China’s success in maintaining its cultural traditions while pushing for economic reforms is something Nigeria can and should learn from, and stressed that Nigeria must focus on its own identity to create sustainable development.
According to him, “If China can become a global power by staying true to its culture, why can’t Nigeria do the same in Africa?”
Emphasising on the growing relationship between Nigeria and China, particularly in infrastructure projects, he noted that Nigeria has benefitted from China’s investments, such as the expansion of railways and seaports, which have created jobs and boosted the economy. For example, the construction of rail lines across the country has provided employment opportunities and improved transportation, which in turn supports trade and commerce.
In addition to infrastructure, the Alumni President applauded the trade relationship between the two nations, and stated that Nigeria’s trade with China reached $22.6 billion in 2023.
Sulaiman also discredited the notion that China is merely dumping goods in Nigeria, and emphasised that China is a significant buyer of Nigerian raw materials, and called it a “win-win situation” for both countries.
However, he warned against relying solely on international partnerships and urged Nigeria to develop its own reform strategies, much like China’s periodic review system, to ensure steady progress.
“We cannot just sit and wait for things to happen because we are partnering with China,” he stated.
He also touched on social reforms, recommending for a revival of traditional Nigerian culture, an expansion of education and healthcare, and increased civic engagement, as he believes that these cultural and social changes are essential for Nigeria to achieve true development and strengthen its position on the global stage.
In conclusion, Sulaiman called for enhanced nationalism and a stronger focus on the values that define Nigeria, even as he urged the country to deepen its reforms in line with its cultural identity, following China’s model of balancing tradition with modernity.
“Nigeria must develop its own deepening reforms alongside China’s,” he said.
He added that this approach will help the nation secure its place in the world.
The seminar provided a platform for attendees to understand the significance of China’s reforms and how they might inspire Nigeria to chart a similar path toward modernization.
With China’s support, Nigeria could leverage new opportunities for economic development and global cooperation.