Essential Ndubuisi
By Ekwi Ajide
The Consul General, Consulate General of Nigeria in Shanghai, Honourable Chimezie Ogu, has asked China to carry Africa along as an abiding trusted ally in all its bilateral and multilateral engagements in world politics.
The Consul General who was speaking at the Jiangsu-Africa Cooperation Conference and China Africa Local Government Cooperation Forum, FOCAC, in Nantong China, said, this year’s theme: “unity and cooperation, seek common development and work together to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future” is timely and needs attention of both sides to thrive.
He said China-Africa cooperation has lasted over decades and Africa with over seven hundred million people has remained a reliable friend and partner of China, only next to India as major trading partner adding that China had done well within the platform of FOCAC which led to cooperation, building of unity and understanding between both sides of which Africa as a continent benefitted and appreciates.
He however, emphasised that there are gaps that must to be closed by both sides, to increase their mutual interaction in the area of business investment and enjoined the Government of Jiangsu Province and businessmen to increase their presence by investing more in the African contenient in what he termed a win-win cooperation.
According to the Consul General, both side needs to develop a strong bond and also a network of honest and sincere communication in their bilateral engagements both in the public and private sector to achieve a common goal.
Honourable Ogu, said honesty and sincerity are the essential ingredients needed in the growth and progress of friendly countries with shared values, visions and expectations as such, even though Africa needs China in its quest for development, China should be aware it also needs Africa’s support in the area of global politics with the United Nations.
The Consul General, reminded, that China needs to unite with Africa and carry her along in its multi-lateral aspirations in world polities which can only be realized by assuring Africa of its sincerity to assist the continent by providing the best of modern infrastructure needs and demands of Africans.
He said, a better perception, understanding and knowledge of the true spirit of Chinese fraternity with Africa in the context of continental framework of FOCAC will go a long way in changing the narratives.
