The outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Gu Xiaojie, on Thursday, paid a courtesy visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
The Chinese ambassador was received by the APC National Chairman and some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), including the Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni; National Treasurer, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Gwagwarwa; National Woman Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu; National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso; National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu; Deputy National Secretary, Orji Ugofa; National Vice Chairman (South- South), Illiad Atagbo among others.
During the visit, the Chinese ambassador expressed the commitment of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to implement policy initiatives that exist between the two countries and also establish party to party relations between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Ambassador Xiaojie on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) extended an invitation to the National Leadership of APC to visit the People’s Republic of China.
Xiaojie said that the visit would help foster relations and cooperation between the parties.
Responding, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, stated that agreements entered between the two countries during President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent state visit to China will positively affect every facet of Nigeria’s economy.
In accepting the invitation extended by the CPC to the APC to visit the People’s Republic of China, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said that the visit would afford the APC National Leadership an opportunity to share experiences with the Chinese CPC and also learn how the government of PRC is tackling corruption.
Comments by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Gu Xiaojie
“Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership between China and Nigeria. This year, what is most significant is that some two weeks ago, at the invitation of the Chinese President, President Muhammadu Buhari paid a very successful state visit to the People’s Republic of China where they talked about what is happening in the two countries. The Chinese leaders appreciate the policy initiatives of Nigeria’s government on anti-corruption, economic development and also peace and stability. The Chinese government and the people are ready to working very closely with Nigeria in implementing policy initiatives that exist between the two countries and others we may identify like exchange of views on governance and party to party relations between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) and also in some other areas of economic aspects like agriculture and energy sectors. These are areas the Chinese government and the Chinese business community will be working on here in Nigeria. I am very impressed in the achievements we have recorded in the last two years. I will like to take this opportunity to appreciate the assistance given by the government of Nigeria to do my duties here.
“Ever since the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election last year, Chinese Communist Party of China (CPC) has expressed it’s readiness to work with APC in areas like experience sharing and capacity building. The message from the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) is that we are ready to receive a delegation led by the National leadership of the APC in the later half of the year so as to have close interaction and corporation between the Chinese Communist Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
Comments by National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun
“It was in your time that the relationship between Nigeria and China became meaningfully solidify. It is in your time that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria visited China and came back with very significant agreements that will affect every facet of the Nigeria’s Economy. I must say that the result of the visit of our president was something that has given us a lot of joy because substantial agreements were recorded which in the next few months, knowing China as a very serious country, they make commitment and fulfill them, as soon as our budget comes on stream, we’ll be able to see the practical results on ground particular in the area of infrastructure and Agriculture.
“On the party to party basis, we have listened to you and accept your offer. Even if only to come and learn how you have managed the menace of corruption which you are dealing with strictly.”