The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that Nigeria and China will upgrade their relations in Culture, Tourism and Information sectors.
The minister said this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the outgoing Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie.
He said the deepened relations in the sectors was sequel to the recent state visit of President Munammadu Buhari to China.
Mohammed said his ministry would also exploit the opportunities and potentials in the forthcoming maiden World Conference on Tourism to be hosted in China, to boost the relations between both countries.
The minister observed that, though short, the tenure of the envoy was historic and witnessed significant improvement in relations between both countries.
“We are pained that you are leaving just after two years, this is because you are passionate about the relations between China and Nigeria.
“Your tenure witnessed significant improvement between both countries in terms of cultural exchange and Nigeria and China becoming strategic partners.
“Your tenure is also historic because it witnessed and celebrated the 47th anniversary of Nigeria China relations.
“You also witnessed history in Nigeria because for the first time In the political history of the country, the opposition defeated the ruling party
“Your tenure witnessed growing relations between Nigeria and China which culminated into the State visit of President Munammadu Buhari to China, ” he said.
The minister said that the state visit of the President had led to the signing of many bilateral agreements relating to economic, monetary and infrastructural development.
Earlier, Xiaojie said the past two years he was in the country, had witnessed significant history and changes with the general elections, anti corruption and developmental strides of the new government.
He said China and Nigeria, being the biggest economies in Asia and Africa respectively, would harness their potentials for internal and global advantages.
The envoy added that the two countries would also continue to harness their rich cultural heritage for socio-economic development.
He thanked the minister and the ministry for their support and cooperation in the past two years and expressed the optimism that they would extend same to his successor. (NAN)