By Ms. Yan Yuqing

In March 2026, China’s annual Two Sessions were successfully convened, drawing global attention to Beijing. It is a historic gathering held at a crucial moment marking the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. The Government Work Report delivered by China’s Premier, Li Qiang, not only outlines an ambitious blueprint for high-quality development over the next five years, but also demonstrates to the world China’s commitment to expanding high-standard opening-up, striking a resounding chord of deeper global integration and mutual benefit.

Over the past year, China’s economy has advanced steadily despite challenges. The GDP reached a new level, growing by 5 percent year-on-year. The value-added output of the manufacturing sector has remained among the highest in the world for consecutive years, while new quality productive forces have accelerated amid a wave of innovation. These achievements are rooted in China’s long-standing commitment to opening up. Looking ahead, high-quality development will require even higher-standard opening-up. As Premier Li emphasized in the report, China will steadily expand institutional opening-up, enhance international circulation, and turn its vast domestic market into one shared by the world.
How will China further open its doors in 2026? The Government Work Report provides a clear China Solution.
First, broader market access. China will further expand market access with a focus on the service sector, advancing opening-up in areas such as telecommunications, health care, and education. It will also continue to improve policies supporting foreign investment and strengthen service and protection systems for foreign enterprises. Companies from around the world, including those from Nigeria, will not only participate in China’s manufacturing sector, but also engage deeply in China’s service sector, sharing opportunities from the upgrading of industrial and value chains.
Second, higher-level connectivity. The report highlights the need to strengthen “hard connection”, “soft connection” and “people-to-people connection”, and to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. By coordinating major flagship projects, implementing a number of “small but beautiful” livelihood programs, and expanding cooperation in emerging sectors such as digital economy, green development, innovation, health care and tourism, China is committed to aligning strategies and leveraging complementary strengths with partner countries.
Third, more extensive economic cooperation. China is ready to negotiate and sign high-standard free trade agreements with more countries and regions, actively participate in WTO reform, and deepen bilateral, multilateral and regional economic cooperation to promote an open world economy. At a time when protectionism is on the rise, China remains committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, and to working with the Global South to build a more equitable and inclusive global governance system.

China’s high-standard opening-up is not just a promise on paper. It is reflected in concrete actions taken together with countries around the world, including Nigeria. Nigeria is an important strategic partner of China in Africa and an active supporter and participant in the Belt and Road Initiative. In 2025, the bilateral trade volume between China and Nigeria exceeded USD 28 billion, up more than 28 percent year-on-year. China’s direct investment in Nigeria reached USD 690 million, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 103 percent. Nigeria remains China’s largest engineering contracting market in Africa, its second-largest export market on the continent, and a key investment destination. The Lekki Deep Sea Port has been continuously enhancing its operational capacity, with steady growth in monthly container throughput. At the Kajola Rolling Stock Depot of the Lagos–Ibadan Railway, the first comprehensive maintenance operation of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains has been successfully completed, marking a new breakthrough in railway equipment maintenance and ensuring safe and sustainable railway operations. In the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone, hundreds of Chinese enterprises are actively engaged in production. Their Made in Nigeria products not only meet local market demand but also create tens of thousands of jobs for local workers, helping them acquire valuable skills. It is encouraging to see that the blueprint jointly drawn by China and Nigeria is bearing fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples.
At the press conference of the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, comprehensively elaborated on China’s foreign policy, sending a clear message to the world: China’s foreign policy remains the most stable, and a stable China is favorable to the world. Speaking on China–Africa relations, he noted that over the past 70 years, China–Africa friendship has withstood the test of changing international circumstances and demonstrated strong vitality. This year China–Africa relations will witness a series of new developments. We will see new progress in building a China–Africa community with a shared future. From 1 May, China will implement zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for African products. The China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges has also been launched, with nearly 600 wonderful events to be held throughout the year. China stands ready to work with African partners to deepen mutual learning among civilizations and foster closer people-to-people ties, ensuring that China–Africa friendship endures for generations.

China’s development cannot be achieved in isolation from the world, and global prosperity cannot do without China. As the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, 2026 will see China continue to advance the Global Development Initiative, expand high-standard opening-up, and firmly uphold multilateralism and the international economic and trade order. Standing at a new historical starting point, we will take full advantage of the 70th anniversary of the launch of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, the 55th anniversary of China–Nigeria diplomatic ties, and the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Upholding the principles of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, China stands ready to work with all sectors in Nigeria to consolidate traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and promote the sustained and steady growth of the China–Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership, making greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ms. Yan Yuqing is the Chinese Consul General in Lagos