President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight at the mutually beneficial cooperation that exists between Nigeria and China.
Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said Buhari stated this on Saturday in a letter of felicitation with President Xi Jinping of China, on the occasion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The Congress which holds every five years starts on Oct. 18 and Xi is the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC.
Buhari lauded China for “becoming an indispensable force in the comity of nations.’’
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the pleasure to send our warmest congratulations to you and through you to all the 2,287 delegates and the 89 million party members on the auspicious occasion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
“It is my firm belief that the 19th National Congress of CPC will be a new starting point in the history of China, and it will usher in a new period of great accomplishment for your Party and the Nation.
“The leadership of CPC is understood to be the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics.’’
According to Buhari, China has made remarkable progress under the leadership of CPC and remains an inspiration to developing countries and the whole world.
He noted that in the past 30 years, over 700 million Chinese had been lifted out of poverty, creating a miracle in the history of poverty reduction.
“As you often say, ‘Empty talk harms the country, while hard work makes it flourish.’
“Under the strong and focused leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Your Excellency as its core, the CPC has continuously guided the Chinese people to achieve the Two Centenary Goals and realize the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, while China is becoming an indispensable force in the comity of nations.
“Indeed, I am satisfied with the mutually beneficial cooperation between Nigeria and China.
“While expecting the delivery of policy guidelines and framework for China’s development and foreign relations in the next five years and beyond, and the election of a new CPC Central Committee, we wish the 19th National Congress of the CPC a complete success,’’ he added.