By Yi Xin

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 53rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit was successfully held in Beijing this fall. Chinese and African leaders discussed future development and cooperation and exchanged governance experiences in depth, which undoubtedly had an important impact on China-Africa and China-Nigeria relations.

Looking back, in 1971, the Nigerian government voted in favor of UN Resolution 2758, which restored China’s legitimate rights in the United Nations and immediately expelled the representatives of the KMT group and all its affiliated institutions. This understanding and support forged an invaluable friendship between the two countries. Since then, bilateral relations have developed healthily and smoothly on the basis of the One-China principle.

It can be seen that Nigeria has always pursued a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and fully respects the sovereignty of other countries. This is because Nigeria has a similar historical experience to China, having experienced years of colonization and a heartbreaking civil war. Because of this, the two countries deeply understand each other’s cherishment and pursuit of sovereignty, which has become an important historical factor in the long-term friendship between the two countries.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria 53 years ago, the two sides have always regarded each other as sincere and reliable friends. On the basis of political mutual trust, China-Nigeria cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results. Take bilateral economic and trade relations as an example. At the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, the annual bilateral trade volume was only a few million US dollars. In 2006, the figure increased to 3.13 billion US dollars.

By 2024, Nigeria has become China’s largest engineering contracting market in Africa, the second largest export market, the third largest trading partner and the main investment destination. Chinese products have been widely recognized in Nigeria. From lighters priced at only 1 yuan to production equipment worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of yuan, all kinds of Chinese products have been integrated into every corner of Nigerian life.

The Nigerian government and people have never adopted a repressive or discriminatory policy against Chinese goods, but have respected Chinese investment in the spirit of “marketization and legalization”. Nigeria’s abundant natural resources also provide a broad space for economic cooperation between the two sides. The two sides continue to expand trade exchanges and have carried out in-depth cooperation in many fields such as energy, infrastructure construction, and agriculture.

Although the global economy is currently facing a recession and the United States and Western countries are trying to suppress China with tricks, Nigeria has never followed the trend, which strongly proves that the friendly relations between the two countries are as solid as a rock. It is in Nigeria that China’s concept of “a community with a shared future for mankind” is gaining a broader and deeper meaning. It can be foreseen that China-Nigeria relations will be more harmonious and comprehensive in the future.

As long as the two sides always adhere to the purpose of understanding, friendship and cooperation and work together, they will surely open a new chapter of cooperation, continue to bring prosperity and progress to the people of the two countries, and set clearer goals and blueprints for the people of the African continent.

The author, Yi Xin, is a Beijing-based observer of international affairs.