Yan Yuging, consul general of China in Lagos, says to build a closer China-Nigeria community with a shared future, more think-tank scholars who understand China, Nigeria, Africa and the world are needed.

Ms Yuging said this at the maiden edition of the Lagos Forum, organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs(NIIA) in partnership with the Chinese Consulate, Africa-China Economy Magazine, and the Institute of African Studies, China, on Thursday in Lagos.

Ms Yuging noted that China stood ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with the African Union to safeguard developing countries’ common interests, jointly advocating an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation.

According to her, China and Nigeria are strategic partners, and the engagement between both countries is a vivid example of the promotion of equal and orderly multipolarity in the world.

The consul general recalled that at the end of 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an address where he identified the theme of China’s external work as building a community with a shared future for mankind.

She said Mr Xi pointed out that given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China called for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.

“China advocates that the multipolarity of the world should be equal, through which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics rejected, and democracy truly promoted in international relations.

“The progress toward greater multipolarity should be stable and constructive. True multilateralism must be practiced, to ensure its process becomes a historic one of unity rather than division, of dialogue rather than confrontation and of cooperation rather than conflict among countries.

“China supports Nigeria in pursuing a path to modernisation suited to its national conditions, and in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs,” Ms Yuging said.

Ms Yuging emphasised that China has always treated Nigeria and other African countries with respect and as equals, adding that it has done its best to support the African people in their quest for development.

Speaking on economic and trade cooperation between both countries, she said in 2023, China-Nigeria bilateral trade reached $22.56 billion.

(NAN)