International
China Calls on Developing Countries to Stand Up Against Bullies
China Calls on Developing Countries to Stand Up Against Bullies
By Michael Mike
China has called on developing countries all over the world to stand up against bullies.
Speaking at the weekend at the reception and opening ceremony of China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) 2022 for over 70 journalists in Beijing invited by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) to familiarize with China, the Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, lamented that recent visit of United States Speaker, Nancy Pelosi is an act of bully from America.
She noted that: “China’s development achievements over the past decades have been most impressive. To quote a poem, we have “been to the heavens for the moon and to the deep sea for the turtles”. Two female astronauts have traveled to space, a real-life version of Chang’e, a fabled Chinese goddess, flying to the moon. The high-speed rail network has shortened many long-distance travels across the nation into one-day trips. I doubt if the finest novelist could imagine ten or even five years ago the transformation taking place in China today.”
Chunying said. “Behind all these incredible achievements is an incredible political party — the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). Last year, we celebrated the centenary of the CPC. The CPC has grown from a small party with just over 50 members, to the world’s largest governing party with a 96-million-strong membership. Over the past century, the CPC has led the Chinese people to drive out the foreign invaders, end the fighting among warlords and the civil war, gain national independence, found a sovereign country, make foreign subjugation and hunger history, and build a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The Party is now leading the country on a new journey toward a modern socialist country. Every Chinese is filled with pride about what the country has achieved, and fully supports the CPC. In fact, the CPC, for years, has an approval rating of over 90 percent.”
She added that: “The CPC is a people’s party. It represents the fundamental interests of the greatest possible Chinese people, and has never represented the interests of a particular interest group, power bloc or privileged class. From day one, the CPC has made pursuing a happy life for the people its founding mission. It follows a people-centered philosophy, and puts the people’s interests, needs and satisfaction above everything else.
“The CPC is a vanguard party. It is keen to learn from past practices. It keeps abreast of the times by developing new theories and strategies based on new situations. It pursues self-reform to seek continuous self-improvement. And it sticks to principles and has flexibility under different circumstances, confronting problems head-on and finding solutions to make things work.
“The CPC is an open and inclusive party. It is ready to share, to learn from all advanced things and engage with all for mutual success and shared progress.
“In the online comment from a young Egyptian (by the name of Ismail Bashmori), he likened China to the first member of the impoverished family of developing nations to go to university. He called on developing countries to help and support China to keep climbing to the top, as China is the first non-Western country to even come close to reaching a status of `ultimate global importance.
“His comment touched many Chinese, me included. China has all along been a member of the big developing country family, standing with each other through thick and thin. We shall never forget that it is our brothers and sisters in Asia, Africa, and Latin America who helped restore the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China at the United Nations. Today, China is on a better footing. It will do its best to help, so that we all can have a better life.”
She recalled that: “As President Xi Jinping noted, in the world today, some are faring very well whereas some others are still struggling; this is not a good thing. Only when people all over the world enjoy better lives can prosperity be sustained, security safeguarded and human rights assured. Based on this belief, China has proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. We hope to achieve common development through hard work. People in all countries are entitled to choose their own development paths, and deserve a better and happier life. Just as China believes that not a single Chinese should be left behind on the journey toward common prosperity, no country should be left behind in our common pursuit of greater development.
“Regrettably, some do not want to see this happen for people in other countries, especially the Chinese people. In recent years, the US and a few of its allies have gone out of their way to smear and bash China, using all means to suppress and contain China.
“But people of the world are clear-eyed. A recent `survey shows that 76 percent of young Africans see China as a positive influence on their life; the Arabic populations prefer China and China’s foreign policy is better received in the Middle East; countries in Asia also believe that China’s right to legitimately emerge as a major country should be respected.”
She said it was recently realized that all believed that developing countries are a key force in building a fairer and more balanced global order, and in promoting peace, security, equality and development, noting that they agreed that “unity and cooperation should be enhanced to build a better world that meets the needs and aspirations of the developing world. This shows that we developing countries have a common purpose, and our hearts are closely linked.”
She admitted that: “The world today still faces many risks and challenges, and we need to jointly respond with unity and cooperation. There is much unfairness and injustice, and we need to support each other in defending our interests. There is much bullying and hegemony in the media and propaganda, and we need to speak with one voice, louder and clearer.
She stressed that: “After decades of hard work, China has accomplished a lot in its development. But China remains the only major country yet to achieve complete reunification. And China still faces real threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as seen from the recent visit of US House Speaker Pelosi to China’s Taiwan region. The Chinese government and people have every determination and capability to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity. If even China cannot do this, what about other developing countries? If we do not hold the line now, who will be the next Iraq or Syria? As developing countries, we’ve all had the experience of being colonized and bullied. Therefore, we must stand together and support each other when those things we hold dear are under threat.”
China Calls on Developing Countries to Stand Up Against Bullies
WAHO Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Ebola Response, Donates 20,000 Thermometers
By: Michael Mike
The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s health emergency preparedness and response, following confirmation of the country’s first Ebola case.
The organisation also announced the donation of 20,000 non-contact infrared thermometers and 1,200 bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitiser to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s response to the outbreak.
The Director-General of WAHO, Prof. Palokinam Pitche, gave the assurance when he led a delegation to the NCDC headquarters in Abuja on November 2, 2026, to discuss regional support for Nigeria’s health emergency preparedness and response.
The delegation included the Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RSCDC), Dr Mamadou Diarrassouba, and the Acting Director of Public Health and Research at WAHO, Prof. Joseph Olorunda.
The meeting was attended by officials of the NCDC and representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Discussions centred on aligning international and regional assistance with Nigeria’s national priorities, avoiding duplication of interventions and ensuring effective utilisation of available resources.
Pitche reaffirmed WAHO’s readiness to support Nigeria, stressing that health threats confronting the country had implications for the wider West African region and required coordinated regional action.
He recalled the organisation’s ongoing collaboration with Nigeria in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity development and technical assistance, noting that clearly identified needs would guide further support and strengthen collective responses to shared health challenges.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, expressed appreciation for WAHO’s continued support, stressing that effective management of public health emergencies required sustained collaboration among national, regional and international institutions.
Idris highlighted the need for a coordinated response covering surveillance, disease detection, case management, risk communication and logistics, particularly in tackling health threats capable of spreading across national borders.
Representatives of WHO and Africa CDC also pledged to work with WAHO to align their contributions with Nigeria’s government-led response plan.
They emphasised the need for assistance to be guided by clearly established priorities, defined institutional responsibilities and accountability mechanisms, while ensuring that each organisation deployed its technical expertise effectively.
The partners further reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that emergency interventions translated into sustainable improvements in Nigeria’s preparedness and overall health system capacity.
WAHO’s technical and financial assistance is being channelled towards implementing the incident management plan following confirmation of the first Ebola case in Nigeria.
The donation of the thermometers and hand sanitisers is also expected to support infection prevention and control measures as the country strengthens its preparedness and response capacity.
WAHO Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Ebola Response, Donates 20,000 Thermometers
Venezuela Solidarity Campaign Demands Release of Maduro, Flores
By: Michael Mike
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria (VSCN) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, whom it accused the United States government of detaining illegally.
The campaign, in a statement issued on Friday by its Coordinator, Dimeji Macaulay, said the continued detention of the Venezuelan leaders represented an assault on national sovereignty and international law.
It called on Washington to end what it described as political persecution of Venezuela, abandon its interference in the affairs of sovereign nations and respect the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their political future without external pressure.
The group also condemned the reported expansion of criminal charges against Maduro and Flores, alleging that the US administration was using its judicial system to exert political pressure on governments opposed to its interests.
“We reject the use of military power, economic coercion and politically motivated prosecutions as instruments for determining the political future of Venezuela,” the statement said.
The campaign further demanded an end to economic sanctions against Venezuela and the US economic blockade of Cuba, arguing that the measures imposed hardship on ordinary citizens, including workers, children and vulnerable communities.
It described the restrictions as collective punishment for the political and economic choices of the two countries, insisting that their populations should not suffer because of their governments’ preferred systems of social and economic organisation.
The VSCN expressed solidarity with Cuba, citing its achievements in education, healthcare, international solidarity and social development, and urged Washington to end what it called economic strangulation of the Caribbean nation.
Beyond Venezuela and Cuba, the campaign criticised the global capitalist system, arguing that the concentration of wealth in the hands of billionaires had worsened inequality while millions of people continued to face hunger, homelessness, inadequate healthcare and limited educational opportunities.
It cited the wealth accumulated by billionaires, including Elon Musk, as an example of what it described as an unequal economic order in which a small minority controlled resources generated through the collective labour of millions.
The group called on workers, peasants, students, trade unions, socialist organisations and progressive movements worldwide to unite in pursuit of what it described as a socialist system founded on equality, democracy, solidarity and collective ownership of productive resources.
On Western Sahara, the campaign reaffirmed its support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, rejecting any attempt to impose Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a substitute for a democratic decision on the territory’s political future.
It called for a free, fair and internationally supervised referendum that would allow the Sahrawi people to choose their future, including independence.
The group noted that Western Sahara remained on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories and argued that its people should not be denied the right to determine their political status.
It maintained that self-determination should apply equally to the peoples of Palestine, Western Sahara and Venezuela, as well as other nations facing occupation, domination or foreign interference.
Venezuela Solidarity Campaign Demands Release of Maduro, Flores
Nigeria, Japan Move to Set Up Industrial Hub to Unlock Investment
…Abuja seeks Japanese capital, technology transfer as Tokyo promises faster visa processing
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is seeking to establish a joint industrial and investment hub with Japan to attract foreign capital, accelerate technology transfer and position local businesses to tap into Japanese supply chains and the wider African market.
The proposal, put forward by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signals Nigeria’s push to turn 66 years of diplomatic relations with Japan into a stronger economic partnership driven by investment, industrialisation and job creation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the proposal during a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, urging Tokyo to work with Nigeria on a practical roadmap for the proposed Nigeria–Japan Industrial and Investment Hub.
The initiative is expected to facilitate joint ventures, connect investors with credible Nigerian businesses, promote skills development and encourage Japanese companies to establish stronger industrial links with Africa’s largest economy.
The minister stressed that existing bilateral agreements must translate into concrete investment commitments and measurable development outcomes, rather than remain diplomatic declarations.
“The outcomes of the Forum must be translated into concrete programmes, investment commitments and measurable development outcomes,” she said.
She urged both countries to implement the agreements reached at the 10th Nigeria–Japan Special Partnership Forum, held in Abuja on August 27, through practical programmes and regular consultations between their foreign ministries.
To strengthen private-sector participation, Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for more partnerships between Nigerian and Japanese companies through joint ventures, local content development, skills transfer and the integration of Nigerian businesses into Japanese supply chains.
She also sought greater engagement by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to link Japanese investors with Nigerian enterprises and public-sector partners.
Beyond manufacturing and trade, Nigeria is seeking Japanese investment in solid minerals, gas development, cleaner energy technologies and industrial decarbonisation, with the minister highlighting the strategic importance of resilient energy and critical-mineral supply chains.
The proposed investment push comes alongside Japan’s development cooperation in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, education and technical training through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed a $10 million JICA-supported initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s startup ecosystem through catalytic capital and institutional development, in partnership with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.
She also called for sustained Japanese support for peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and stabilisation in Nigeria and West Africa, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability through the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.
On mobility and business exchanges, the minister urged continued dialogue to resolve visa-related challenges affecting businesspeople, students, researchers, government officials and tourists.
Responding, Suzuki said Japan was desirous of deepening cooperation with Nigeria, which he described as a strategic African giant.
He also assured that visa-related issues would be handled expeditiously, an undertaking that could help facilitate business and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Japan offered an opportunity to build a more dynamic partnership anchored on investment, industrialisation, technology transfer and shared prosperity.
The renewed engagement comes as both countries seek to move beyond decades of diplomatic relations towards stronger commercial ties, with the proposed industrial hub emerging as a potential platform for converting bilateral goodwill into investments and economic opportunities.
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