By Chioma Gabriel

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China which convened in China recently said that deepening reforms will advance Chinese modernization and relationship with Nigeria and other African countries.

This, according to a statement released by Yan Yuqing, Chinese Consul General in Lagos formed “Part of the programme at the convention  to  move toward national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization and give great historical significance and build development opportunities with Nigeria and other African countries.”

The statement said the communique of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, expressed optimism about the huge potential of China’s economic and social development and hoped that China’s high-quality development would bring more opportunities to the world.

“Nigeria serves as a pilot nation for the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa and is a steadfast partner in the Belt and Road collaboration. In October last year, Vice President Shettima went to China to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and met with President Xi Jinping. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on building China-Nigeria relations in the new era and high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road and reached a series of important results and consensus.  The major projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, including the Lekki Deepsea Port and the Lagos-Ibadan Railway, have greatly benefited local economic and social development. China is ready to continue to work with the Nigerian side to promote more tangible results in China-Nigeria and China-Africa cooperation in building the Belt and Road, and to help Nigeria and Africa achieve industrialization and agricultural modernization.

“In recent years, China and Nigeria have supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and closely cooperated in international and regional affairs, delegationsfrom theChinesePeople’sLiberationArmyAirForce andNavy,aswellasthe43rdand46thescorttaskforcesoftheChineseNavy,havemadefriendlyvisitstoNigeria. I am confident that the two countries will make greater contributions to the world on the road to peaceful development of modernization.

“This year marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and another important year for the comprehensive deepening of reform. This year is also of extraordinary significance for China-Africa & China-Nigeria relations.

“The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6 under the theme of Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future. In our march toward modernization, China and Nigeria will work together to deepen and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields and make new and greater contributions to the building of a high-level community with a shared future for Africa and mankind.”