The Chinese embassy to Nigeria and the China Cultural Center in Nigeria co-hosted a seminar on the Belt and Road Initiative and bilateral relations.

Cui Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, attended the seminar with officials and representatives from Nigerian governmental institutions and organizations.

Cui Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, gives a speech at the seminar. [Photo by Wang Guiping/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Cui said 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and Nigeria. Many opportunities have been shared between the two countries thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, a strategy initiated by China seeking to connect Asia, Africa and Europe.

"The relationship between Nigeria and China is very productive because of our similarities, especially in our youth population. China and Nigeria have been involved in the development of youth through exchanges of expertise, capacity-building, entrepreneurship and leadership training," he said.

He added both Chinese and Nigerian athletes performed well in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Nigerian athletes can learn from their Chinese counterparts in table tennis, gymnastics and volleyball, and mutual exchanges will be strengthened.