Chinese Ambassador Commends Tinubu’s Reforms, Says Nigeria-China Trade Hits $18bn

by Habeebah Basah

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying they have supported Nigeria’s economic recovery and created conditions for deeper cooperation between both countries.

Yu made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The ambassador said China welcomed Tinubu’s structural reforms, macroeconomic stabilisation measures and efforts to improve the business environment.

“We highly commend President Tinubu’s structural reforms, macroeconomic stabilisation, and business environment enhancements, which have boosted Nigeria’s economic recovery and created optimal conditions for deeper cooperation,” he said.

Yu disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China reached $18 billion in the first half of the year, representing a 35 per cent increase.

He added that Chinese imports from Nigeria rose by 81 per cent during the period.

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The envoy said recent agreements on economic partnerships and aquatic exports had also provided institutional support for expanding trade between both countries.

Looking ahead, Yu said China was prepared to align its 15th Five-Year Plan with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda in areas including industrialisation, the digital economy, and green and blue economies.

“Our future cooperation holds boundless potential,” he said, while inviting Nigeria to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation to strengthen cooperation in technological development.

Yu also described the relationship between Nigeria and China as increasingly close, noting that both countries were celebrating 55 years of diplomatic relations.

“Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our relationship has entered the fast lane,” he said.

Reflecting on his two years in Nigeria, the ambassador praised the resilience and determination of Nigerians, saying his travels across the country had deepened his appreciation of the people and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Yu also highlighted China’s economic performance, saying the country’s GDP grew by 4.7 per cent in the first half of the year, driven in part by emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics and innovative pharmaceuticals.

He further highlighted China’s initiatives in data and artificial intelligence, as well as its zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the longstanding relationship between both countries.

Tegbe said Nigeria valued China’s contributions through investment, financing and engineering to major projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port, railway modernisation and the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Station.

He also cited cooperation in healthcare, people-to-people exchanges and technical trade.

Tegbe reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China policy, while commending China’s zero-tariff programme for Nigerian producers.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement and Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle, urged Nigerians to draw lessons from China’s development experience.

Dantalle attributed China’s progress to what he described as sacrifice, political stability, commitment to national development and prioritisation of the public good.

He called for sustained diplomatic and economic cooperation between Nigeria and China.