APC in partnership talks with China’s ruling party; Buhari invited for state visit

Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday received officials of the Chinese government at its national secretariat in Abuja.

President Buhari in a bilateral meetiing with President Xi Jiping of China; credit: erickakanji (Twitter)

The Chinese government’s delegation was led by the chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Qin Jian, who disclosed to the APC leadership that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited President Muhammadu Buhari to China on a state visit on a yet-to-be-announced date

The APC national secretary, Mai Mala Binu who was represented by APC’s Director of Organisation, Alhaji Kyari Abubakar, expressed the party’s desire to enter into partnership with the Communist Party of China (CPC), the founding and ruling political party of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Mai Mala Buni who was represented at the meeting by APC’s Director of Organisation, Alhaji Kyari Abubakar, said:

“China is a very important technical and trading partner to Nigeria. Both countries have enjoyed excellent social, economic and cultural relations. As China is aware, Nigeria recently witnessed a change of government which ushered in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The time for better cooperation between both countries is now as the APC and the President Buhari administration works to deliver on its Change mandate.”

Buni also identified capacity building and collaboration as areas in which the APC and the Chinese CPC can partner. The Chinese charge d’affaires noted that 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China.

He added that President Xi Jinping has announced a $60 billion aid package for Africa, following the successful December 2015 Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Qin Jian noted that both Nigeria’s APC and China’s CPC can share experiences on how to develop the economy and protect the environment as well as exchange technical support and capacity building where necessary.

Story: PM News