China promises stronger ties with Nigeria

The Chinese government has promised to strengthen its relationship with Nigeria through the provision of a better understanding of its people, history, culture, just as it promised more opportunities for Nigerians, especially the younger generation.

Speaking during activities to mark the 10th anniversary of its Open Day at its Lagos Consulate office on Victoria Island, Liu Kan, consul-general of the People’s Republic of China, stated that the Asian giant was eager to strengthen its ties with Nigeria.

Kan said the consulate decided to mark the day by inviting 50 pupils of Itedo Nursery and Primary School, Eti-Osa, to its premises in Lagos to expose the pupils and some teachers of the school to China’s history, culture and opportunities.

According to the consulate, the Open Day marks the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China as well as the development of bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Speaking to newsmen on the purpose of inviting the 50 pupils of Itedo Nursery and Primary School, Kan said, “The purpose is to expose Nigerian people, especially the younger generation, to begin to understand the history, culture and opportunities that China has for them.

“We believe that creating mutual understanding between our two countries and the peoples is the foundation for our further development and relations,” he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, Tolu Ogungbulugbe, head teacher of Itedo Nursery and Primary School, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos, who led the pupils and a few teachers to the Chinese consulate, praised the Chinese consul-general for exposing the pupils to the consulate’s operations, China’s history, culture and opportunities.

The consulate gave the pupils a guided tour of its facility and operations by conducting them round its visa processing offices, historical picture gallery of China and Nigeria’s past and present leaders and relations as well as Chinese furniture, paintings and writing symbols.