Nigeria, China to boost cultural cooperation

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

Following the outcome of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China, the Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Mr Li Xuda, has disclosed that both countries will elevate their cultural cooperation.

Speaking in Abuja during the Mid-Autumn Festival Salon Dinner organised by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Li said after the FOCAC, the level of the people-to-people exchange and cooperation will be further improved.

Li further said with the conclusion of the 2024 FOCAC summit, more and more Nigerians will go to China, just as more and more Chinese people will come to Nigeria.

“We can learn from each other, improve each other. Through this way, we really strengthen the good relationship of our two countries,” Li said.

Li also said education is one of the important areas China and Nigeria will focus on in elevating their cultural cooperation.

According to Li, “education is the foundation of the country’s development and social progress.”

He added that as the Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Nigeria, he will encourage more Chinese students to visit Nigeria and study in Nigeria, Hausa, Yoruba and other languages.

“And at the same time, we welcome more and more Nigerian students to go to China and learn Chinese language and Chinese culture,” Li stated.

Speaking earlier, the Director, Centre for China Studies (CCS), Mr Charles Onunaiju, said the outcome of the Beijing summit, encapsulated in the Declaration and Action plans, set the visions of China and Africa and the practical steps to bring them to fruition.

“This undoubtedly bring further impetus to Nigeria-China bilateral cooperation. The President Bola Tinubu State visit to China also witnessed several MOUs signed with Chinese enterprises, adding more tangible outcomes to the bilateral cooperation between the two sides,” Onunaiju said.

Onunaiju also said the joint statement between the countries on establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership and building a high level China-Nigeria community with a shared future outlined the core principles, strategic roadmap and practical steps that would give concrete expression to the issues that the two sides are committed for the attainment of the objectives stated in the joint statement.

On his part, the Publisher, Daybreak Nigeria and the Dragon Magazine, Dr Austin Maho, said China has suffered a lot of fake news, a consequence of global geopolitics and skewed information flow and media imperialism.

Maho advised that when encountering news about China, media practitioners should verify information through reputable sources, adding that critical thinking and media literacy were essential in combating fake news and promoting a nuanced understanding of China.