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Jonathan To Lead Nigerian Delegation On Five-Day State Visit To China

President Goodluck Jonathan is set to lead a high-powered delegation of government officials and private sector players to China next week for talks aimed at … Continue reading Jonathan To Lead Nigerian Delegation On Five-Day State Visit To China


President Goodluck Jonathan is set to lead a high-powered delegation of government officials and private sector players to China next week for talks aimed at increasing its investment in the Nigerian economy.

A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, states that the President will begin the five-day state visit on Monday in recognition of the rising global economic influence of China.

He is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Premier Li Keqiang and the chairman of the standing committee of the National Peoples Congress, Mr. Zhang dejiang.

Talks between President Jonathan and the Chinese leaders will focus on greater bilateral cooperation in areas such as the development of public infrastructure, oil and gas, and power supply, among others.

The leaders will also sign major agreements to boost defence, trade and economic cooperation.

The President is expected to sign off on $3 billion Chinese loans to build infrastructure in the country, according to the Coordinating Minister of the economy and finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The agreed loans will come from the Chinese government and will be based on interest rates of less than 3 percent over a 15-20 year period, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said.

Other agreement that would be signed are on Economic and Technical Cooperation; an Agreement on Finance for the Zungeru Power Plant and Airport Terminals; and an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.

Also to be  tabled for discussion during talks between Nigeria and China in the course of President Jonathan’s trip to Beijing will be an agreement for the Central Bank of Nigeria to invest in China’s Inter-Bank Bond Market through the Peoples’ Bank of China, and an agreement for the prevention of the theft, illicit import and export of cultural property.

The successful conclusion of these agreements and other memoranda of understanding for increased bilateral cooperation in areas including the development of public infrastructure, oil and gas, power supply, agriculture, communications and tourism is expected to consolidate the already cordial political, trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China.

President Jonathan will also seek additional Chinese investment for the Mambila Hydro Electric Project, rail modernization, road construction and agricultural development.

He will also hold separate meetings with the Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of leading Chinese conglomerates such as Huawei, SINOPEC and ZTE with the same objective.

His engagements in Beijing will also include commissioning the new Nigerian Embassy building in the country.

The President will be accompanied to China by Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State.

His entourage will also include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.

Others are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, the Minister of National Planning, Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman, the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Alhaji Mohammed Sada, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke and the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada.