China, ECOWAS Build Formidable Force As China Hands Over Multimillion-Dollar ECOWAS Headquarters.
By Ferdinand Olise
The government of the Republic of China has achieved a giant milestone in its bilateral relation with the ECOWAS region by executing a project which marked a historic moment in the three-decade old relationship between China and the sub-region.
Speaking in Abuja at the handover ceremony of the China-aid project of the new multimillion dollar ECOWAS Headquarters Complex, funded and built for the Commission by China, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, said the relationship between the China and the region over the years had continued to flourish on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
He noted that their cooperation is beyond traditional infrastructure as they are expanding their cooperation in the digital economy, green economy and modern agriculture.
“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the inception of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. Throughout these seven decades, China has consistently prioritized its relationship with Africa, remaining a steadfast and reliable partner in Africa’s pursuit of development and national reconciliation.
China supports African nations in exploring modernization paths tailored to their unique national conditions and advocates for a stronger African voice in international affairs.
Our cooperation is built on the principles of non-interference, no political strength attached, and a rejection of empty promises.
“We deeply appreciate the long-standing commitment of ECOWAS and its member states to the one-time principle, and invaluable support provided in the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
China will continue to support the ECOWAS Commission and uphold the principle of
African solution to African problems, promoting the resolution of the differences through dialogue and consultation to further regional integration”, he said.
In his speech, the President of the ECOWAS Commission Abuja, Dr Omar Touray described China as West Africa’s most strategic partner, noting that China’s multifaceted engagements with the sub-region would continue to deepen.
Dr Touray noted that the new ECOWAS Headquarters Complex would serve as a fitting instrument to drive regional integration process, foster enhanced peace and prosperity for all ECOWAS citizens.
“We may recall that this is not the first time the Chinese Government has partnered ECOWAS to deepen our regional integration efforts. In the not-too-distant past, the Government of the Peoples Republic of China provided some very important strategic support to our regional peace and security efforts with strategic military equipment and vehicles to support the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force activities.
He said the support spread around the ECOWAS Member States, and made China a very strategic partner to West Africa.
Dr. Touray therefore expressed appreciation to the President of the People’s Republic of China,
Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China who was represented at the occasion by the Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, for the gesture.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described ECOWAS as Africa’s most dynamic regional bloc, renowned for its contributions to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, democratic governance and humanitarian response.
She said the new ECOWAS Headquarters Complex would strengthen institutional effectiveness and improve collaboration among member states in responding to regional and global challenges.
The project was executed by a Chinese Contractor, Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation (SCEGC).
The facility with two-story Conference Centre, has eight hundred seating capacity, state-of-the-art interpretation equipment, audiovisual speakers, meeting rooms with interpretation facilities, a training room, among other facilities.
