A FRESH perspective into why Nigeria-China diplomatic and economic relations have gained momentum was dissected yesterday, with former and current actors in the two nations' friendship history as well as experts in international affairs hinging it more on Beijing's tactful, attractive, strategic, mutually beneficial and non-exploitative foreign policy in the country and in Africa.According to speakers at a symposium on '40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationship Between Nigeria-China' organised in Lagos by Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and Embassy of China in Nigeria, the foreign policy being driven by China is a guarded alternative from Western exploitation and should be an adaptive model for Nigeria's quest for development and national interests' realisation.The speakers include China's Consul-General in Lagos, Guo Kun; Acting Director-General of NIIA, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa and his research fellows; Nigeria's former Ambassadors to China, Victor Chibundu and Adeuga Adekuoroye, Ambassadors Tayo Ogunsulire and Adegboyega Ariyo among others.Adekuoroye, who was the chairman of the event, said in his opening remarks that he was surprised at the level of transformation of China and commitment of Chinese people when he was Nigeria's ambassador to Beijing.He said the commitment was the force behind China's pursuit of national interests and growth.The former envoy said the Chinese national interests include its economic and developmental needs, politics, history, culture, tradition, language among others. He called for adaptation of China's model to formulate Nigeria's model for growth.Akinterinwa, in his welcome and keynote address, said Nigeria-China have enjoyed mutually beneficial relationship over the years because of their positions, population and similar political history and experience.Cataloguing China's involvements in Nigeria's economic, industrial and construction sectors over the years, he said the relationship has witnessed ups and downs.However, NIIA's Acting Director of Research, Prof. Ogaba Oche, Prof. Fred Agwu and a Research Fellow, Dr. Efem Ubi, agreed with Akinterinwa that the relationship being driven by China offers better benefits to Nigeria than what the Western world has offered over the years.They agreed that Nigeria has a lot to learn from China's experience despite western propaganda against China's involvement in Africa.They called for tackling of manifest challenges in the relationship.However, Kun said since February 10, 1971, the two most populous developing countries - China in Asia and Nigeria in Africa - set up their diplomatic relations.Since then, he added that the bilateral ties have developed rapidly and smoothly.'In the 21st century, China-Nigerian relations have kept the momentum of overall development. Nigeria has taken an active part in the China-African Cooperation Forum, and our two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation under FOCAC mechanism. In April 2005, following the trend of the times and aiming at the future of the two nations' relations, China and Nigeria declared the establishment of strategic partnership, and the bilateral relationship has since been promoted to a new level,' he said.The envoy said due to the sound political relationship development, the trade between the two countries has experienced a fast development by leaps and bounds.
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