In a meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Oluyemi Adeniji in Beijing Thursday, Vice Premier Huang Ju promised to promote economic ties and enhance cooperation on regional and international affairs.  

"Chinese-Nigerian ties have developed soundly with momentum and progressing at all levels and in all sectors. We have maintained frequent high-level visits, increased mutual political trust and deepened economic and trade cooperation," Huang said.

China appreciates the "valuable support" from Nigeria on human rights and the Taiwan question, Huang said. "We also hope Nigeria will play an active role in African and international affairs."

The Chinese government attaches importance to its friendship and cooperation with Nigeria and will, along with Nigeria, push forward Sino-Nigerian relations continuously, Huang told Adeniji.

Adeniji spoke highly of Nigerian-Chinese ties, saying their relations have maintained fast growth since they established diplomatic ties on February 1, 1971, especially in the last five years.

"Nigeria attaches importance on relations with China based on sincere friendship," he said, adding that Nigeria hopes to further cooperation with China on international affairs and promote friendship with China.

Adeniji arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon, starting a five-day working visit to China as guest of Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2005)