On October 25 to 26, 2023, Nigerian newspapers Peoples Daily, Vanguard News, The Sun, The Guardian, Leadership published an article written by Ambassador of China to Nigeria H.E. CUI Jianchun, with the theme of “BRI: A Path towards Common Development and a Blueprint for China-Nigeria Cooperation”. The full text goes as follows:
From October 17 to 18, the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation was held in Beijing, China, featuring the theme“High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the forum and delivered a keynote speech. President Xi noted that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) injects new impetus into the global economy, creates new opportunities for global development, and builds a new platform for international economic cooperation. Belt and Road cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America, with more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations signing Belt and Road cooperation documents. We have held two sessions of the BRF before, and have established over 20 specialized multilateral cooperation platforms under the BRI.
Furthermore, President Xi announced 8 major steps China will take to support joint pursuit of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as follows: 1) building a multidimensional Belt and Road connectivity network. 2) supporting an open world economy. 3) carrying out practical cooperation. 4) promoting green development. 5) advancing scientific and technological innovation. 6) supporting people-to-people exchanges. 7) promoting integrity-based Belt and Road cooperation. 8) strengthening institutional building for international Belt and Road cooperation.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI proposed by President Xi. Over the past decade, thanks to the combined efforts of all parties, cooperation under the BRI framework has expanded beyond the borders of China to become an international effort. It has evolved from ideas into actions, from a vision into reality, and from a general framework into concrete projects. Under the BRI, more than 3,000 cooperation projects were constructed, nearly US$1 trillion in investments were generated and 40 million people were lifted out of poverty. The Belt and Road cooperation has made historic achievements and has benefited more than 150 countries, opening up a road of cooperation, opportunity and prosperity leading to common development. The BRI has become the most popular international public good and the largest international cooperation platform in the world today.
As an important event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the BRI, the third BRF constitutes another important milestone in the process of jointly building the Belt and Road. The attendance of 151 countries, 41 international organizations and more than 10,000 delegates at the forum shows the appeal and global influence of the China-proposed initiative. And the Forum is considered to be a "complete success" by all sides, with a total of 458 outcomes achieved, far more than the second BRF.
Nigeria is always a strong partner of BRI. From October 15 to 20, Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, attended the third BRF representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.
During his meeting with President Xi, President Xi pointed out that there have been many highlights in the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Nigeria. Many cooperation projects including railways, ports, power stations and communications backbone networks have been completed in succession, and remarkable achievements have been made in the development of free trade areas. China is ready to continue working with Nigeria to push for more tangible outcomes of China-Nigeria and China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation and help Nigeria and Africa realize industrialization and agricultural modernization. China stands ready to enhance personnel exchanges at all levels with Nigeria to advance high-quality practical cooperation.
Vice President Shettima congratulated China on successfully hosting the third BRF. He noted that Nigeria and China are good friends who have shared weal and woe and supported each other in times of difficulties. China has always treated Nigeria and other African countries with respect and as equals; it has never bossed them around, and has done its best to support the African people in seeking independence and development. He thanked China for proposing a series of important global cooperation initiatives for developing countries, providing valuable assistance for Nigeria's development,and boosting the industrialization process of Nigeria and