Joint Communiqué Between the People's Republic of China
and the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(Abuja, 15 April 2002)
At the invitation of President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China paid a state visit to Nigeria from 14 to 16 April, 2002.
During the visit the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including the furtherance of bilateral relations ad well as regional and international issues of common interest. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the results of the visit.
1.The two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far in their friendly relations and cooperation which are anchored on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence over the past 31 years since their establishment of diplomatic ties. The two sides reaffirmed as the basic principle guiding China-Nigeria relations in the 21st Century, the four-point agreement reached by the two Presidents during President Obasanjo's visit to China in August 2001. These include sincere friendship and mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development, enhanced consultation and mutual support, and commitment to a long-term perspective and a future-oriented relationship. The two sides also reaffirmed their determination to build on past achievements while working together to push the existing friendly relations to greater heights.
2. The two sides share the view that China-Nigeria bilateral cooperation in trade and economic activities with its huge potentials, remains a powerful driving force behind the development of China-Nigeria relations. They resolved to work together to further develop the cooperation in these areas. While implementing conscientiously the economic cooperation and trade agreements already signed, the two governments pledged to continue to encourage their companies and enterprises to step up exchanges and cooperation and create conditions to facilitate trade and investment between them. The two sides stressed the significance of mutual cooperation in oil and natural gas ventures and their readiness to encourage and support active participation of Chinese enterprises in Nigeria's energy development projects.
3.Both sides expressed their readiness to encourage their enterprises to carry out cooperation in the areas of infrastructural development including the railways.
4.Both sides expressed their willingness to facilitate China-Nigeria cooperation in defence science, technology and industry.
5.On agriculture, the Chinese side reiterated its readiness to assist Nigeria develop its massive agricultural potentials, especially in the area of production of rice and other grains.
6.On international issues, the two sides agreed that China and Nigeria share extensive interests in maintaining world peace, facilitating the establishment of a just and equitable new international political and economic order, strengthening South-South cooperation and promoting the cause of universal prosperity, and that they have an important role to play in these endeavors. They expressed their readiness for continuous and enhanced consultation and cooperation in international affairs.
7.Both sides expressed unflinching support for each other's efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. While are Chinese side values and appreciates the role of Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, in regional and continental matters, the Nigerian side reiterates the one-China policy that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and that Nigeria will only enter into private sector led trade and economic relations with Taiwan.
8. Both sides expressed concern over the new challenges to developing countries brought about by globalization and urge the international community to adopt positive measures to ensure the economic security of developing countries by enhancing their developmental capacity.
9. The two sides emphasized the important role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security and promoting global economic and social progress, a role no other international organisations could replace. Both sides are however in favour of reforms of the United Nations in such a way that the demand by its member states for democratisation of international relations would be met and that the organisation would more effectively fulfill its mandate under the UN Charter. In this connection, China supports greater representation of African States in the Security Council.
10. Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and firmly support the international community in using every lawful means to fight the scourge. Both sides maintain that in combating terrorism, efforts should be made to address both its root cause and symptoms, and while international cooperation should be strengthened, the leading role of the UN and its Security Council should be further reinforced.
11. The two sides viewed the pursuit of peace, stability and development, as well as the settlement of regional conflicts and eradication of poverty, as pressing problems facing African countries. The Chinese Government supports the African Union and other sub-regional organisations in Africa and believes they can be utilised to achieve peace and stability and promote the integration in Africa. The Chinese side supports the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), and expressed the willingness to work together with the international community to assist Africa in more concrete and effective ways to achieve sustainable economic development.
12. On the cooperation between China and Africa generally, and particularly the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and Mechanism, the two sides also expressed their readiness to implement the follow-up actions of the Forum through enhanced consultation and coordination, so as to contribute to the new partnership between China and Africa featuring long-term stability, equality and mutual benefit.