Speaker Urges Stronger Ties With China
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Friday, called for stronger bilateral ties between Nigeria and China in addressing the high tariffs slammed on Nigerian goods by the US President, Donald Trump.
Abbas, while addressing a delegation from the China People’s Political Consultative Conference in his office, identified the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as alternative options for Nigeria, following the ongoing global trade war.
The CPPCC delegation, led by the Vice Chairman, Hu Chunhua, was at the National Assembly Complex on a courtesy call to the Speaker.
A statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Krishi, quoted Abbas as saying, “In the face of evolving global trade dynamics, exemplified by the recent imposition of tariffs by the United States that have affected our non-oil exports, it is imperative that we diversify our trade partnerships. Enhancing our economic ties with China presents significant opportunities for our nation.
“In this regard, Nigeria is equally enthusiastic about deepening cooperation through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. These initiatives provide promising avenues for expanding trade, fostering investment, and promoting knowledge exchange.”
He lauded China’s economic imprints, saying, “We find in its experience a model of inspiration, particularly in the areas of industrial policy, poverty reduction and technological innovation.”
The speaker also pledged the National Assembly’s commitment to building enduring institutional ties with key Chinese legislative bodies, including the China People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress.
According to him, the collaboration will enable mutual learning on legislative reforms, effective constituency representation, and democratic innovation.
He reaffirmed the resolve of the House to the “noble pursuit of parliamentary diplomacy,” stressing, “By further strengthening our cooperation with China, we are better positioned to attain our shared aspirations for modernisation, peace, and prosperity.”
Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Chunhua, recalled that President Bola Tinubu visited China in September 2024, where the host president and his visitor announced strategic partnerships.
“China stands ready to work with Nigeria on the agreements signed by the two presidents and resolutions of the Beijing Conference,” Chunhua said.
