Chinese support strengthened Nigeria’s fight against coronavirus - Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has said Chinese support tremendously strengthened Nigeria’s effort against COVID-19.

Buhari disclosed this in a letter he personally signed and addressed to his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, made the letter dated January 28, 2021 available to journalists on Monday via a statement titled, ‘As China-Nigeria relations clock 50, President Buhari expresses satisfaction’.

Recall that first human cases of COVID-19 were reported by officials in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019.

Since then, the virus has been spreading across countries and continents through person-to-person transmission.

But Buhari said since the outbreak of the pandemic, China has been working with Nigeria and other African countries to safeguard their citizens.

On the 50 years since the establishment of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations, The President said he was delighted that the bilateral ties have achieved far reaching and fruitful results, on the basis of close coordination and mutual trust.

As celebrations of the Year of the Ox by all Chinese across the world commence on February 12, the President wished his Chinese counterpart people of the country a promising and auspicious Lunar New Year.

Buhari wrote, “Nigeria is very satisfied with the progress of bilateral relations, and we thank China for its support to us in various ways; in building of rail, road, power, defence, and many other areas.

“Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China has been working with Nigeria and other African countries to safeguard the lives and health of our citizens, adding new dimensions to our friendship. We acknowledge that Chinese support tremendously strengthened our effort against the pandemic.

“In recent years, Nigeria and China have also witnessed steady development of their strategic partnership. In the face of significant challenges faced by international community, the two sides are upholding a common position of preserving multilateralism, not interfering in other countries’ internal affairs and safeguarding common interest of developing countries.

“This year is vital for China-Nigeria relations. The FOCAC has become a model of mutually beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and China, as well as between Africa and China. Nigeria is ready to work with China to make the new session of FOCAC this year a success.”