By Victor Gotevbe,
On Monday, The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos feted the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at a function held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
The event celebrates the beginning of a new China under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1949, led by Mao Zedong.
The annual celebration brought together guests from several important sectors including different Chinese living in Nigeria and diplomats representing their respective missions in the country, as well as national leaders and Friends of China.
Consul General, Mr. Chao Xiaoliang; Speaker, Lagos State House Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa ably represented by Mrs. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, Chairperson, House Committee on Information and Strategy, and Security of the same Assembly: and the Chairman of West Africa and Nigeria Overseas Chinese Joint Association, Mr Dong Rui’e, gave speeches during the event.
According to Mr. Chao Xiaoliang, this year’s anniversary marks “the first year of fully implementing the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up and the fifth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed. China has experienced a remarkable journey over the past 69 years.”
He stated categorically that ‘under the strong leadership of Chinese Communist Party, Chinese people have made tremendous efforts to develop the country.
He also spoke about the Summit of Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOFAC) held recently in Beijing which was attended by the Chinese President Xi Jinping, Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari and 49 heads of State and Government, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission and more than 3200 participants from 53 African members. The Summit he said jointly drew the blueprint for future cooperation between China and African countries.
Mr. Xiaoliang further noted that after the Summit, The Chinese President and the Nigerian President held a bilateral meeting where several issues were discussed which witnessed signing of bilateral cooperation agreements.
Mr Dong Rui’e who has lived in Nigeria for over 40 years hailed the bilateral relations between the two countries. As stated by him, China and Nigeria have freshly signed 13 agreements not limited to Infrastructure, Power Generation, Communication and Agriculture.
He added in his concluding remarks stressed that “it is not coincidence our nations share the same national day. We do have a future together. Let us celebrate our national together and many years to come.”
