China and Nigeria signed a joint communiqué on bilateral relations on Thursday during President Hu Jintao's visit to the West African country.

 

The following are excerpts of the document:

 

Steady growth of friendly relations and cooperation

 

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the steady growth of the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Nigeria over the past 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The two sides expressed their readiness to expand cooperation in various fields and to work, on the basis of the principles of treating each other with sincerity and friendship and as equals, drawing on their respective strengths and achieving common development to promote the continued growth of the strategic partnership between the two countries and the well-being of the two peoples.

 

One-China policy

 

The two sides pledged to support each other on issues relating to sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Nigerian side reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence" in any form including de jure "Taiwan independence" and to Taiwan's participation in any international or regional organization whose membership applies only to sovereign states. The Nigerian side also reiterated its position of not having official relations or contact with Taiwan and its support for all efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification. The Chinese side highly appreciated the above-mentioned position of the Nigerian side.

 

Great potential for economic cooperation

 

The two sides shared the view that China and Nigeria have great potential and broad prospects for economic cooperation and agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, electric power, infrastructure construction, energy, telecommunications and human resources development. The two governments will continue to encourage entrepreneurs of the two countries to increase exchanges and expand cooperation and will create favorable conditions to facilitate bilateral trade and investment.

 

Strategic partnership

 

The two sides expressed their readiness to work in the spirit of their existing strategic partnership to step up cooperation in international affairs, uphold the rights and interests of developing countries, promote world peace and development, and foster a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity. The Chinese side appreciated Nigeria's efforts to maintain regional peace and stability and promote African integration. The two sides had an extensive discussion on the issue of UN reform, and decided to work with other UN member states to realize the vision as spelled out in the 2005 World Summit outcome document.

 

Friendly relations and cooperation between China and Africa

 

The two sides spoke highly of the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Africa and expressed their willingness to work together to promote a new type of strategic partnership with Africa, featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win relations and cultural exchange. The two sides looked forward to strengthening their consultation and coordination to ensure the success of the up-coming high-level China-Africa Cooperation Forum, which will be convened in Beijing. President Obasanjo accepted Hu's invitation to attend the event.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2006)