Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dec. 4, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Johannesburg on Friday at a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari that China eyes industrial cooperation with Nigeria. [Special coverage]
Xi noted that China stands ready to help Nigeria establish and enhance its independent industrial system, and deepen cooperation in such areas as infrastructure construction, industrial parks, natural resources development, manufacturing, industrial tie-in and agricultural modernization.
The Chinese president said China and Nigeria should make best use of their traditional friendship and economic complementarity, so as to enhance political trust and increase friendly exchanges in all areas at all levels.
China attaches great importance to developing ties with Nigeria, and is willing to work with the African country to blueprint the two nations' mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to accelerate the all-round development of bilateral ties, Xi noted.
The Chinese leader also proposed the two sides to increase cooperation on security matters and international affairs, and maintain communication and coordination on major global and regional issues, in a bid to jointly safeguard the common interest of the developing countries such as China and African nations.
For his part, Buhari said that it is very important for Nigeria and China to maintain their close high-level exchanges.
Nigeria is grateful for the agriculture and infrastructure projects built in his country with China's help, which is imperative to Nigeria's economic growth and improvement of public wellbeing, Buhari said, adding his country wishes to enhance cooperation with China in economy and security, among other areas.
Xi and Buhari are both attending a summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which groups China, 50 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China, and the Commission of the African Union.
