China Ready To Strengthen Ties With Nigerian Legislature-Amb. Jianchun.

By Ferdinand Olise

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun has assured Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, on the Chinese Parliament’s readiness to strengthen ties with the Nigerian legislature.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria stated this in Abuja on Tuesday October 24 2023, when a Chinese delegation led by the Ambassador, paid a courtesy visit on the Speaker in his office.

The Ambassador  said that more collaboration between both Parliaments can only further cement the existing diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China.

Ambassador Jianchun expressed gratitude to the Speaker for his warm reception, and conveyed the willingness of the Chinese Parliament to work with its Nigerian counterpart for the purpose of deepening the existing bilateral relations.

He listed key areas of national development, which China has actively participated in Nigeria in the last six years to include,: road and hydro-electric power infrastructure, rail transportation, technology and security, stating that China can also learn a lot from Nigeria through its Legislature, and cultural collaboration.

Ambassador Jianchun therefore invited the Speaker to visit the Chinese Parliament next year to establish more ties between bith countries.

Meanwhile, the Speaker while welcoming the Chinese delegation, said that the over 50 years of diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China has produced many outcomes of mutual benefits for both countries.

The Speaker who acknowledged the significant contributions of China to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria, noted many areas of developmental interventions by the Chinese government in Nigeria. He reechoed the need for a robust parliamentary relationship between Nigeria’s National Assembly, and the Chinese Peoples Parliament.

“I welcome you to the people’s House. It is similar to what you call the Peoples Parliament in China. It is indeed gratifying to welcome you today. China is not a small country; it is the second richest in the world today, as well as the most populated country.

“As always, Nigerian Parliament is eager to work with your country. Since Nigeria and China established a diplomatic relationship several decades ago, we have not had any issue with China.

“I believe you brought so much to Nigeria as a result of this bilateral relationship, and you can only strengthen the partnership that will be a win-win for both countries.

“So far China–Nigeria relationship has been a positive one. When I was the Chairman of the House Committee on Land Transport, I had the opportunity of knowing the important contributions China made to that sector in Nigeria,” Speaker Abbas said.

The Speaker thereafter introduced the Chairman of the Nigeria–China Parliamentary Friendship Committee, Hon. Jafaru Yakubu, to the delegation, and urged the Ambassador to facilitate further introduction between the Committee Chairman, and his Parliamentarians in China with a view to strengthening the relationship.