Federal Government has assured Chinese government of implementing the 2018 Forum for China African Cooperation (FOCAC) initiatives as a framework for strengthening Nigeria-China relations and African in general.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Abbah-Ibrahim stated this on Monday when Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Foreign Minister and Co-Chair of the Chinese, follow up Committee on FOCAC visited her in Abuja.
She described FOCAC as a framework for strengthening Nigeria-China relations and pledged Nigeria’s commitment to the implementation of the eight major initiatives of the 2018 FOCAC Summit.
The eight initiatives are industrial promotion, infrastructure cooperation, trade facilitation, green development, capacity building, health and hygiene, humanities exchange and peace and security.
“We do assure you of Nigerian cooperation and support for FOCAC as a frame work for the China-African relations and the implementation of the eight major initiatives of the 2018 FOCAC summit.
“The eight major initiatives are geared toward the ongoing government drive in the diversification of the economy and other things as well.
“The present Nigerian government lays major emphasis on improving the economy, combating corruption and improving security,” she said.
She commended the Chinese government for sending a delegation to follow up the discussion made at the FOCAC to ensure the implementation.
“I am extremely happy that the assistant minister is here primarily because once every year there is a FOCAC meeting.
“However, you do not see a committee or a delegation that follows up on the meeting to see how the implementation process will take place.
“Today, the minister is seated here after the 2018 summit of FOCAC. We can see clearly that there is a delegation here to ensure that the eight major initiatives of FOCAC are implemented.
“Also, to ensure that other bilateral talks that took place between our two presidents are followed up and implemented,” she said.
The Chinese minister said that the main purpose of his visit to Nigeria was to deeply engage with Nigeria on how to follow through with the consensus of the two leaders.
“It is also to ensure the materialisation of the outcome of the summit pertaining to Nigeria.
“And, look forward to pushing through the in-depth growth China-Nigeria strategic partnership and to push forward China-African cooperation in general,” Xiaodong said.
