Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing says the Chinese Government remains committed to fostering its long-standing bilateral engagements with the government and people of Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2023 Chinese National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebration which held under the auspices of the University of Lagos Confucius Institute, the Chinese Consul applauded every past and present student of the institute for their interest, passion and commitment to learning the Chinese language and culture, a feat which she said underscored a common future between Nigeria and China.
While addressing the array of dignitaries who converged at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Theatre, venue of the celebration, Ms. Yuqing buttressed the need to promote skills and build capacities around the Chinese community with a view to according more people the opportunities which abound across all Chinese sectors.
In their separate remarks, the Nigerian Director of the Confucius Institute, Professor Obi Iwuagwu and his Chinese counterpart, Professor Zhou Hongling spoke on the significance of the celebration. They described the annual Chinese National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival as platforms for both Nigeria and China to celebrate shared destinies and further deepen collaborations for mutual benefits.
The event featured series of performances by pupils and students of invited schools, the Confucius institute as well as the Chinese Studies Department of the University of Lagos.
The 2023 Chinese National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival celebration was also targeted at marking the 10th Anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping of China, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is an investment initiative originally designed to link East Asia and Europe through physical infrastructure. The project was later expanded to Africa, Oceania, and Latin America, significantly broadening China’s economic and political influence.
In 2018, China and Nigeria became partners in the Belt and Road Initiative, which further deepened bilateral cooperation with more practical results.
Both Nigeria and China gained independence on October 1. However, the People’s Republic of China got hers 11 years ahead of Nigeria, making her 74 years in 2023 while Nigeria clocked 63.
