Remarks by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai at the Reception Celebrating the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China
YE Joseph Tegbe, Minister of Power and Director General for Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,
YE Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning,
YE Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State,|
YE Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi, Vice President of ECOWAS Commission,
Distinguished Senators and House Representatives，
Dear Ambassadors,
Senior Officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria,
Members of International Organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Friends,
Time flies. In the blink of an eye, I have completed two full years as Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria. Over these two years, I have travelled across Nigeria’s bustling cities and rural heartlands, made many new friends, and come to appreciate even more deeply the Nigerian people’s resilient, optimistic and self-reliant “Naija spirit.” Their determined drive to seize new opportunities amid change and open up new horizons through hard work fills me with heartfelt admiration.
We gather here tonight to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. October 1st marks both China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day—a shared memory for both our nations. On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I welcome all guests, greet our fellow Chinese citizens in Nigeria, and thank everyone supporting China-Nigeria friendship. I also extend my special thanks to the artists from Hunan Province for their fantastic performance.
Dear friends,
Today, China is advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, injecting certainty and creating new opportunities for global development. To embrace China is to embrace the future; to walk with China is to walk with opportunity.
This year marks the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. The CPC Central Committee introduced Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building, systematically answering how to build a long-term governing Marxist party. This offers valuable insights for Global South nations exploring their own development paths, contributing Chinese wisdom to political civilization and demonstrating the CPC’s global vision.
Despite a complex global environment and sluggish recovery, China’s economy remains resilient. In the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 4.7%, securing a strong start for the 15th Five-Year Plan. Backed by the world’s most complete new energy supply chain, China continues to stabilize global energy markets. By fostering new quality productive forces, emerging tech drivers like AI, robotics, and innovative pharmaceuticals are thriving, driving global industrial upgrades through “Created by China.”
This month marks the first anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative. Over the past year, China formed the Group of Friends of Global Governance and issued key policy papers to address global deficits. The International Organization for Mediation is now operational, resolving its first international dispute. China also led the creation of the World Data Organization and World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to ensure AI benefits all. This autumn, China will host the Global Governance Forum in Xiong’an to further advance a community with a shared future for mankind.
China is stepping onto the world stage with growing confidence. Global polls reflect rising favorability toward China, while topics like “Becoming Chinese” or “Chinamaxxing” trends on social media with views exceeding 4 billion. More foreign visitors are experiencing immersive Chinese travel, products, and culture, witnessing diverse paths to modernization firsthand.
At this year’s Summer Davos Forum, China invited the world to share “China Opportunities 2.0,” focusing on innovation, industrial synergy, green transition, and digital cooperation. This injects stronger momentum into China-Africa modernization and our all-weather shared future.
Marking 70 years of China-Africa diplomatic relations, we have built a model of South-South cooperation based on equality, mutual benefit, and solidarity. Adhering to the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith in its Africa policy, China firmly supports African integration and self-reliant development.
China has implemented zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries starting May 1. The impact was immediate: China’s imports from Africa grew by 24% in May and June alone. This helps turn Africa’s resource advantages into industrial strength, boosting the African Continental Free Trade Area and a fairer global trading system.
During “China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges,” closer ties are accelerating the flow of knowledge and capital. Chinese innovations—including open-source AI models like DeepSeek, digital payments, and solar energy—are solving local development bottlenecks, deepening digital cooperation, and bolstering African modernization.
Dear friends,
A Nigerian friend recently shared the popular Yoruba phrase “Dá tì e mò”—meaning “the person who recognizes themselves”—capturing the essence of mutual understanding. Celebrating 55 years of diplomatic ties, China and Nigeria have grown closer through mutual respect and shared success.
Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our relationship has entered the fast lane. We highly commend President Tinubu’s structural reforms, macroeconomic stabilization, and business environment enhancements, which have boosted Nigeria’s economic recovery and created optimal conditions for deeper cooperation.
Our practical cooperation is flourishing. Recent agreements on economic partnership and aquatic exports provide strong institutional support for trade expansion. In the first half of this year, bilateral trade reached $18 billion (up 35%), with Chinese imports from Nigeria surging 81%. We also launched Chinese language broadcasts on Voice of Nigeria to deepen cultural bridges.
Our future cooperation holds boundless potential. China stands ready to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda across industrialization, digital, green, and blue economies. We also invite Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to share global tech development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Those who walk the same path go far. Let us empower development through innovation, openness, and sincere cooperation to continuously enrich China-Nigeria friendship and write a new chapter in China-Africa relations.
In closing,
May China and Nigeria enjoy continuous prosperity!
May our peoples be blessed with health and happiness!
May China-Nigeria friendship endure forever!
Thank you all!
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