Diplomatic relationship between Nigeria, China mutually beneficial – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker, who acknowledged the significance of Chinese contributions to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria, stated this while addressing the Chinese delegation led by the Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Speaker Abbas, while welcoming the Chinese delegation, noted the many areas of developmental interventions by the Chinese government in Nigeria, just as he re-echoed the need for a robust parliamentary relationship between Nigeria’s National Assembly and the Chinese People’s Parliament.

“As always, Nigerian Parliament is eager to work with your country. Since Nigeria and China established a diplomatic relationship several decades ago, we have not had any issue with China.

“I believe you brought so much to Nigeria as a result of this bilateral relationship, and you can only strengthen the partnership that will be a win-win for both countries.

The Speaker thereafter introduced the chairman of the Nigeria–China Parliamentary Friendship Committee, Hon. Jafaru Yakubu, urging the ambassador to facilitate further introduction between the Committee Chairman and his Parliamentarians in China with a view to strengthening the relationship.

He expressed gratitude to the Speaker for his warm reception, conveying the willingness of the Chinese Parliament to work with its Nigerian counterpart for the purpose of deepening the existing bilateral relationship.

He listed key areas of national development, which China has actively participated in Nigeria in the last six years to include: road and hydro-electric power infrastructure, rail transportation, technology and security, adding that China could also learn a lot from Nigeria through its Legislature and cultural collaboration.