The People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. Bilateral relations have since enjoyed smooth and steady development.
1. Political Relations
Chinese leaders who visited Nigeria are as follows: Vice Premier Geng Biao (October 1978), Vice Premier Huang Hua (November 1981), Vice Premier Tian Jiyun (November 1984), Vice Premier Wu Xueqian (March 1990), Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (January 1995), State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Luo Gan (September 1996), Premier Li Peng (May 1997), Special Envoy of President Jiang Zeming, State Councilor Ismail Amat (May 1999), Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (January 2000), President Jiang Zemin (April 2002), and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress Han Qide (December 2003).
Leaders of Nigeria who visited China are as follows: Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (September 1974), Vice-President Dr. Alex I. Ekwueme (March 1983), Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (September 1984), Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Sani Abacha (October 1989), Chief of the Defense Staff, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (July 1997), President Olusegun Obasanjo (April 1999 and August 2001), President of Senate Anyim (December 2001), Vice President Abubakar (July 2002), and Deputy Speaker Nwuche of the National Assembly (July 2002).
2. Trade Relations and Economic and Technical Cooperation
China and Nigeria have signed a number of agreements on trade, economic and technical cooperation, scientific and technological cooperation, as well as an agreement on investment protection. The two countries set up a joint economic and trade commission. The trade volume between the two countries in 2003 reached US$ 1.86 billion, representing a 59% growth. During the first four months of 2004, it grew further by 17.6% to US$ 609 million, with Nigeria's export to China registering a growth of 330%. China's main exports to Nigeria are light industrial, mechanical and electrical products. China's mainly import from Nigeria are petroleum, timber and cotton.
Up to now, China has set up more than 30 solely funded companies and joint ventures in Nigeria. The main projects contracted or undertaken in the form of labor service by Chinese companies in Nigeria are the rehabilitation of Nigerian railway, the Games Village of Abuja Sports Complex. Major Chinese companies which have undertaken projects in Nigeria are China Geological Engineering Company, China Harbor Engineering Company (Group) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.
3. Cooperation in Cultural, Educational and Military Fields
China and Nigeria have signed an agreement on cultural cooperation and a protocol on cooperation between institutions of higher learning of the two countries. China began to provide scholarship for Nigerian students to study in China in 1993. From 2002 to 2003, there were 24 Nigerian students studying in China.
The military exchanges between China and Nigeria started in the 1980's. The Nigerian Defense Academy sent a number of delegations to China. In May 1998, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral O. Miko Agigebi visited China. In November of the same year, Lieutenant General Liang Guanglie, Commander of Shenyang Military Area Command, led a military delegation to visit Nigeria.
4. Major Agreements and Documents
In February 1971, the Governments of China and Nigeria signed the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In August 2001, the two countries signed the Agreement on Trade between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection.
In April 2002, the two governments signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.
In July 2002, the two governments signed the Agreement on Consular Affairs, the Agreement on Cooperation on Strengthening Management of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Diversion of Precursor Chemical, and the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation.
5. Chinese Citizens in Nigeria
In total, there is around twenty thousand Chinese people, including more than 300 from Taiwan, living in Nigeria, residing mainly in Lagos, Kano and Abuja. In the 1960s, technicians and workers came from Shanghai and Hong Kong to start their business in Nigeria. Since the reform and opening up, more Chinese companies have invested in Nigeria. In 2002, the Nigerian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China was established in Lagos.