Nigerian President Holds Banquet in Honor of Chinese President

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, April 16, 2002

Nigerian President Holds Banquet in Honor of Chinese President

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

OLOR: #f0fff0">ABUJA, April 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chinese President Jiang Zemin expressed here Monday night their satisfaction with the steady and sustainable development of Sino-Nigerian friendly relations and fast development of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

In his speech at a state banquet in honor of the visiting Chinese president, Obasanjo said that President Jiang's state visit, the first by a head of state of China to Nigeria, is "historic" and is undoubtedly "an expression of the fraternal relations existing between Nigeria and China".

The Nigerian president spoke highly of achievements made by China since it pursued the policy of opening to the outside world in late 1978.

"We in Nigeria strongly applaud China's rapid economic transformation from an agrarian economy characteristic of ancient and rural China to an enviable modern and economic giant which is self-sufficient and self-sustaining in food and industrial productions," he said.

Obasanjo said Nigeria needs to share China's rich experiences in her fast economic growth in the past two decades. "We are hoping that our bilateral relations will bear fruit in such areas as health care delivery, communications, information technology, agriculture, energy, among others."

In his speech, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said that in the past century, China and the African countries shared a common lot and developed profound friendship in the struggle against colonialrule for national independence.

"In the new century, the two sides share broad common interestsand vast prospects of cooperation in maintaining world peace, pushing forward South-South cooperation and promoting common development," he said.

Jiang said that the Chinese government will, as always, supportthe lofty cause of achieving peace and development in Africa, and will be ready to join hands with African countries to work for a new world of lasting peace, mutual respect, unity and cooperation,and common prosperity.

The Chinese president pointed out that as history moves on to the 21st century, peace and development remain the two major issues of the world of today.

They are also urgent tasks facing the developing countries, he said.

The African people, who suffered greatly from the past colonialbondage and plunder and conflicts and chaos, all yearn for peace, stability and development, he said.

"We are fully confident of the bright prospects of development for the African continent and we believe that the African people will enjoy an even better future," said the Chinese president.

Jiang said that the four-point common understanding -- sincere friendship and mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development,enhanced consultation and mutual support and taking a long view while bearing in mind the future -- China and Nigeria reached lastAugust when the Nigerian president visited China has identified the direction of development for China-Nigeria relations in the 21st century.

"We have every reason to believe that, with concerted efforts from both sides, the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Nigeria will be continuously consolidated and developed,and that the friendship between our two countries will be ever flourishing," he said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Chinese President Arrives in Abuja for State Visit to Nigeria

Chinese, Nigerian Presidents Hold Talks

Don't Regard Politician's Clamor as Ravings, How Far Japan Is Away From Nuke ( 44 Messages)

FM Spokeswoman: US Has Clarified its Stance on Taiwan Issue ( 14 Messages)

Ins and Outs of a Young American's Roguery on Bus in China ( 60 Messages)

China Calls for Total Israeli Withdrawal from Palestinian Territories ( 107 Messages)

Chen Shui-bian Preaches Again "Taiwan Independence" ( 2 Messages)