Chinese President Jiang Zemin met Wednesday with visiting Nigerian Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. During the meeting, Jiang said China and Nigeria had long-standing friendly relations and over the past 31 years since they established diplomatic relations, they had supported and cooperated with each other in both domestic construction and international affairs.
He noted that China and Nigeria had made marked achievements in such fields as politics, trade and economic cooperation, culture, education and medicine, and bilateral ties had grown rapidly. Nigeria was an important country in Africa and had become one of China's most important trading partners on the continent, Jiang said, stressing that China was willing to better understanding and expand cooperation.
Jiang also appreciated Nigeria's position of adhering to the one-China policy.
He also spoke highly of achievements Nigeria had made in maintaining social stability and boosting its economy, appreciating the role Nigeria played in safeguarding regional peace and stability and accelerating the political and economic integration of Africa.
Atiku said his country treasured its friendly ties with China and was willing to join with China to fully tap the potential of bilateral cooperation.
He said his visit made him better understand China and appreciate the achievements China has made in economic construction.
He said he was confident of the prospects of cooperation, stressing that Nigeria would continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
( July 4, 2002)
