Even with trade volume standing at $11 billion as at the end of last year between Nigeria and China, there still exists greater potential for cooperation, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Chinese Ambassador, Deng Boqing, have said.
The assertion was made during Ambassador Doqing’s courtesy visit to Abubakar on Wednesday in his home in Abuja.
Boqing, who recalled that the volume of trade between Nigeria and China was less than $1 billion prior to the visit of Abubakar as vice president in 2002, noted that the visit had helped to open a lot of areas for trade and cooperation between the two countries.
He disclosed that trade between Nigeria and China has since grown to $11 billion as at last year, but both leaders agreed that there was still room for further growth in this regard.
He said the Asian country offered 225 scholarships to Nigerians to study in China last year and was processing even more this year.
He acknowledged that Abubakar is a leader respected by the Chinese people and government, adding that the visit of Abubakar a little over a decade ago left wonderful impressions of him because that visit laid the foundation for strong Sino-Nigeria relations.
In his response, Abubakar described China as a partner for progress and development not only for Nigeria but the African continent.
The Turaki Adamawa assured the ambassador that he will work to promote the special relationship between Nigeria and China in both his official and private capacity.