An Open China for a Shared Future

By: Yu Dunhai
 
Not long ago, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was convened in Beijing. During the session, the document Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development was deliberated and adopted, charting the course for China’s development over the next five years.
 
The plenum called for steadily expanding institutional opening-up, safeguarding the multilateral trading system, promoting broader international economic flows, and advancing reform and development through opening-up, thereby creating broader space for China and the world to share development opportunities.
 
In early November, the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) was successfully held in Shanghai. As the first major economic and diplomatic event following the Fourth Plenary Session, this year’s CIIE not only demonstrated the vast potential of the Chinese market but also served as a platform for global partners, including Nigeria, to connect and collaborate.
 
Nigeria participated in the Expo a Guest Countryof Honor. During the event, the Hon.Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, attended and addressed the opening ceremony.Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a productive meeting with the Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and his delegation. Building on these high-level engagements, Nigeria’s presence was further highlighted at its national pavilion.
 
Showcasing the country’s economic achievements, investment potential, and high-quality products, the Nigeria Pavilion attracted considerable attention from Chinese buyers and investment institutions. Nigerian businesses used this platform to gain direct access to China’s vast market and enhance their brand visibility through exchanges with international exhibitors.Key Nigerian exports—such as agricultural products, processed foods, and creative industry goods—continued to be well-received by Chinese consumers, injecting new vitality into bilateral economic and trade relations.
 
This year, the CIIE upgraded its special exhibition zone for products from the world’s least developed countries, many of which are from Africa. This upgrade enabled enterprises and products from all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China to fully benefit from zero-tariff treatment. More than 80 business associations from over 50 countries and regions participated as groups, underscoring the CIIE’s unique role in supporting global small and medium-sized enterprises. The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, held in tandem with the CIIE, focused for the first time on the themes of“economic resilience” and “sustainable agricultural development” in the Global South, further demonstrating China’s commitment to advancing hand in hand with developing countries.
 
Over the past five years, China’s economy has maintained steady growth amid a complex international environment. By the end of 2025, China’s total economic output is expected to reach around 140 trillion yuan (approximately USD 19.4 trillion), contributing about 30% to global economic growth. China has continued to promote technological innovation and green transformation while further expanding opening up, creating new opportunities for global cooperation.
 
Nigeria, as a major African economy with a young population and vast market potential, has seen its relations with China enter a fast track of development under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. Bilateral trade has grown steadily, surpassing USD 20 billion in the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 32.56%. China has remained one of Nigeria’s top trading partners for many years. The two countries have achieved fruitful cooperation in energy, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and the digital economy, while also exploring new opportunities in green transformation and emerging industries.
 
The year 2026 will mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria. China is ready to take this opportunity to deepen the alignment of development strategies with Nigeria, effectively connecting China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Nigeria’s “Renewed Hope” Agenda, expand practical cooperation across multiple fields, and support Nigeria’s industrial and agricultural modernization.
 
Today, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. China cannot be separated from the world in achieving development, and the world also needs China for prosperity. No matter how the international landscape evolves, China’s determination to expand high-level opening up will remain unchanged; its resolve to share development opportunities with the world will remain unchanged; and its commitment to promoting open, inclusive, balanced, and win-win economic globalization will remain unchanged.
 
China will continue to advance high-level opening up, work together with Nigeria and other African countries to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, and jointly create a better future defined by openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit.
Yu Dunhai is Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria

An Open China for a Shared Future

China Shows Interest in Nigeria’s Music Industry

By: Michael Mike

China has shown interest in collaboration at building Nigeria’s music industry as a tool of advancing the existing cultural diplomacy between both countries.

Speaking at the final of the “China-Africa Good Partners – 2025 Chinese-English Singing Competition” held at the Nigeria-China Cultural Centre in Abuja, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Yang Jianxing while reaffirming his government’s commitment to advancing cultural diplomacy as a cornerstone of its foreign relations with Nigeria, said China was ready to use the power of music to strengthen mutual understanding and deepen people-to-people connections between the two nations.

He said: “Music transcends borders, and song is a bridge connecting hearts,” adding that: “Today’s competition is not merely a vocal contest but a dialogue between Chinese and African cultures, and a testament to friendship that transcends mountains and seas.”

He said over the past 54 years, China and Nigeria have nurtured a relationship built on equality, mutual respect, and shared development.

Yang said: “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 54 years ago, China and Nigeria have remained good brothers who respect each other and treat each other as equals, and good partners who seek mutual benefit and win-win development.”

He noted that cultural diplomacy has become a central pillar of China’s engagement with Africa, complementing economic and political cooperation.

“Cultural exchange is a crucial link in promoting the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations,” he remarked. “This competition serves as a window into the harmonious interplay of our cultures and strengthens the belief that mutual appreciation can lead to lasting friendship.”

He further explained that the competition reflects the goals of the “People-to-People Exchange Partnership Action” proposed by President Xi Jinping during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024.

Yang said: “By allowing different languages to blend in melodies and different cultures to resonate through exchange,” stressing that “we are reinforcing the foundation of public goodwill that underpins the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Addressing the participants, the Chinese diplomat lauded them as “ambassadors of cultural understanding” whose performances have strengthened the human bond between both nations.

He told the contestants that: “Each and every one of you is a winner. Your voices express love for life and friendship, allowing us to feel the joy of closer ties between our peoples.”

Also speaking at the event, the President of the China Alumni Association of Nigeria Muhammed Sulaiman commended the initiative for its role in advancing China-Nigeria relations through soft diplomacy.

He said: “This is not just a competition—it is a profound way of cultural exchange, Over the years, China and Nigeria have built a smooth and enduring relationship, and events like this help to strengthen those bonds.”

He encouraged future editions of the event to incorporate performances in Nigerian indigenous languages alongside Chinese and English songs, describing such inclusion as an opportunity to enhance cultural understanding.

Sulaiman said: “Perhaps one day, we will not only hear English and Chinese songs but also Nigerian languages,” he said. “That will tie us even closer together.”

He further praised the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria for providing a platform that consistently promotes mutual respect and cooperation between both nations.

He said: “This initiative shows the strength and unity that cultural diplomacy can foster,” he added. “It must continue to grow.”

The 2025 Chinese-English Singing Competition, is part of ongoing cultural initiatives supported by the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, is widely seen as a soft diplomacy effort aimed at deepening understanding between the peoples of both nations while showcasing the unifying power of art.

In the Chinese Category, Glory Livingston emerged as the overall winner, earning loud applause for her heartfelt rendition. James Augustine took second place, while Yang Xin, Shen Lili, and Zhu Xiang Yang jointly clinched the third position.

In the English Category, Zhang Ji won the top prize for his outstanding vocal performance. Lu Yongbin and Wang Jiayi secured second place, while Liuyiming, Ekpety Edima, and Igwe Okezie shared the third-place spot.

The winners were presented with awards and certificates in recognition of their artistry and contribution to promoting cultural understanding between China and Nigeria.

The event closed with a group performance that brought all finalists together on stage—symbolizing, in the words of Counselor Yang, “the harmony of two peoples united by song, friendship, and shared aspiration.”

The event was attended by diplomats, cultural officials, and art enthusiasts.

China Shows Interest in Nigeria’s Music Industry

Trump’s Military Action: US Military Reportedly Drafts Offensive Airstrike Plans for Nigeria

By: Our Reporter

The United States military has reportedly drafted contingency plans for possible airstrikes in Nigeria, following an order from President Donald Trump instructing the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” in response to alleged attacks on Christians by terrorist groups in northern Nigeria. 

ABC NEWS learned that the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has presented several operational strategies to the Department of War after Secretary Pete Hegseth requested detailed plans consistent with President Trump’s directives.

It was gathered that the proposal presented to the Department of War was classified into three levels of engagement—“heavy,” “medium,” and “light.”

Reports stated that under the “heavy option,” Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets and long-range bombers, to conduct precision strikes on insurgent targets in northern Nigeria.

The “medium option” involves the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted attacks on insurgent camps, logistics hubs, and vehicles. 

The plan relies heavily on U.S. intelligence coordination to ensure “precise and timely” operations.

Meanwhile, the “light option” focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian security forces against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other extremist factions responsible for mass killings and abductions.

However, top Pentagon officials reportedly warned that limited drone strikes or air operations alone would be insufficient to end Nigeria’s long-running insurgency without a large-scale campaign.

The report follows President Trump’s earlier threat to deploy American military forces to Nigeria if the alleged persecution of Christians continues. 

The Bola Tinubu administration has rejected Trump’s claim, describing it as inaccurate and misleading.

In a related development, China declared its support for Nigeria on Tuesday, opposing what it described as “foreign interference under the guise of religion or human rights.”

“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other nations’ internal affairs.”

said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press briefing in Beijing.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the U.S. religious freedom designation, stressing that the country’s challenges stem from terrorism, not religion.

“The government disputes claims of targeted religious persecution. Since 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has neutralized over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages,” Idris said.

“Nigeria remains open to U.S. collaboration on counterterrorism while emphasizing mutual respect for sovereignty.”

On Wednesday evening, President Trump reiterated his warning, saying:

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities continue. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”

The situation has further strained U.S.–Nigeria diplomatic relations, fueling debate in Washington over whether the United States should take military action in defense of religious groups abroad.

Trump’s Military Action: US Military Reportedly Drafts Offensive Airstrike Plans for Nigerian