KEY POINTS
- As far as Africa’s economic partner is concerned, Obasanjo recognizes the importance of China.
- Sino-African cooperation has also pushed infrastructure, technology transfer and economic ties.
- Obasanjo praises China for efforts in global cooperation, poverty alleviation.
Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said Chinese partnership has been key to Africa’s economic development and promoted infrastructure, technology transfer and personnel exchanges to the continent.
‘I think its a long standing cooperation between China and Africa and it has provided an example in its people to people diplomacy,’ Obasanjo added.
The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held the meeting to mark the 70th anniversary of the association.
Obasanjo spoke of China’s important role in Africa’s development and said Africa is looking forward to further cooperation on that path to peace and global prosperity.
A successful example of cooperation
Turning to China’s role in Africa, Obasanjo said: ‘China is an important economic partner of Africa, and our cooperation has not only promoted Africa’s infrastructure development, but also delivered technology transfer and personnel exchange.’
Noting that China is now Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner in the last two decades, he added, it has also presented opportunities for shared prosperity and growth.
China’s achievement in lifting more than 800 million people out of poverty over the last 40 years is ‘an inspiration’ for Africa to free itself from poverty and spur further development, Obasanjo added.
A focus on reinforcing global cooperation
Obasanjo praised President Xi Jinping for stepping up as the leader who promoted multilateralism and global cooperation. Obasanjo said that your leadership laid the foundation for China’s permanent rise and development and has given significant momentum to the cause of global peace and stability.
“The mission of both the Interaction Council and CPAFFC is to pursue global peace, development, and cooperation,” he concluded, adding that the two entities are both dedicated to that mission.
Far from being an adjunct to official diplomacy, people-to-people relations are a strong agent for promoting international cooperation.”
According to Vanguard, Comments like Obasanjo’s are indicative of the growing significance of Sino-African relations, both nations keen to use their collective economic might to drive their respective futures and to stabilize the wider world.
