Ifere Paul|10 December 2015|4:52am
The visit of Xi Jinping to South Africa to strengthen economic cooperation between China and the
continent was greeted as one of the most successful foreign trips of President Xi of China.
President Xi Jinping had economic and trade sessions with almost all the African countries that attended the cooperation conference. Xi Jinping pledge economic cooperation and partnership with
Africa in order to advance mutual growth between China and Africa and the world on the other hand.
The BRICS Nations:
Xi Jinping promised to keep maintaining mutual trust in bilateral trade relations and economic
cooperation among the BRICS nations. He said, "with the adoption of the Yuan as a substitute currency for foreign trade, BRICS member State should use the opportunity to strengthen and seek strong trade ties using the Chinese Yuan which will never demand currency devaluation by member States".
Nigeria:
President Buhari of Nigeria used the
opportunity of the occasion to thank China for its role in the development of the continent through different
Chinese-African initiatives. He used the opportunity to reiterate Nigeria's commitment to bilateral, trade,
and economic cooperation. The Nigerian president said that Nigeria is committed to better trade
missions with the Chinese in areas of rail transport development, security, scientific research, cultural
exchanges, diplomatic relations, agricultural partnership and development, technological
transfer, among others.
President Buhari stated that all economic relations and MoUs signed by the previous administration in areas of rail transport development are presently being reviewed. Other such investment opportunities presented by the Chinese will be reactivated soonest. The President used the opportunity to formerly invite Xi Jinping to Africa's largest market.
Responding, the Chinese President acknowledged that China and Nigeria have come a long way in
trade relations, and has to do more to further mutual understanding in whatever areas that Nigeria thinks they needed China. "I am aware that
Chinese companies are contributing to Nigeria's economic growth in different fields, but it is my candid wish that we should do more. China will be committing 50 billion dollars in the next 5 years to Nigeria alone. We want to invest in green energy
development as to help fight energy issues in Nigeria. We are coming in to invest in the rail transport development".
Scientific research and cooperation will be encouraged. Our mission as a country is to help shorten the technological underdevelopment of Africa. So, we have been transferring our technology in different parts of the world, and Nigeria will not be an exception. In terms of security, our foreign missions in Nigeria does
share security information about terrorism with your nation. We hope, and encourage you to use
technological knowledge in the fight against terrorism. That's why we have agreed to train over 5000 Nigeria security personnel. The Nigerian Police are in China now training in different approaches
which I believe will help your country. We have extended invitation to the Nigerian Military to
partner in a three nation military exercise with Russia in China next year. This will increase confidence and moral in using latest technological advantage in fighting terrorism. It is my wish and my country's wish to see you succeed in curbing the dangers of terrorism in Nigeria. I hope that your country will avail itself in the cultural exchanges
offered by Chinese to Africans. Your country is under represented. In terms of education, China is
willing to invest additional 100 million dollars in all the African countries to least have a centre of Chinese language studies, economics and trade, history and
politics. On behalf of our country, I wish you well.
Cross River State:
The governor of Henin Province was available as was all other provincial heads and their trade and commerce commissioners. Ministers of trade, culture, foreign policy and diplomacy were all
available. I thought the government of Cross River State will at least send a representative. At least, I
will have been useful to them. The Chinese President also met Presidents and representatives of the following countries: Namibia, Angola, Egypt, South Africa, Somalia, CAR, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Zambia, Mauritius,
Niger, Benin, etc.
*Ifere Paul
Reporting from South Africa.
