By Nkiruka Nnorom & Marvellous Chukwunenye
The planned upgrade of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector is at the heart of a new economic partnership between Nigeria and China, the outgoing Consul General of China in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, has said
Yuqing disclosed this at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and her departure after three years as Consul General in Lagos
She said on March 26, both countries signed the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development, describing it as a landmark step in implementing outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC
According to her, the agreement focused on deepening practical cooperation in Nigeria’s manufacturing upgrading, agricultural transformation, trade liberalization, green development and digital trade
“It provides a long-term, stable and predictable institutional framework for trade and investment between our two countries,” she said
Yuqing, who arrived Lagos in 2023 as the 8th Consul General and first female to hold the position, said the zero-tariff policy being implemented by Beijing for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China was already delivering results, with more Nigerian premium products including cocoa, avocados and coffee gaining access to Chinese households
She listed Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Free Trade Zone and Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone as flagship projects driving Nigeria’s industrialization, noting that the two zones now host over 300 companies and have created tens of thousands of jobs
“The Lekki Deep Sea Port is expected to generate hundreds of billions of dollars in economic benefits and create more than 100,000 jobs over its concession period,” she added
On people-to-people exchanges, she said the Consulate had restored sight to over 900 Nigerian cataract patients through its “Renewed Hope, Rebirth from the light” programme and supported over 1,000 low-income families under its hunger alleviation initiative
In her remarks, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, SSG, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, commended the outgoing Consul General for her role in advancing Nigeria-China engagement in trade, investment and other key sectors
Salu-Hundeyin said Yuqing played a critical role in facilitating and deepening bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, renewable energy and people-to-people exchanges