Chinese, Nigerian leaders vow to upgrade ties

ABUJA -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Wednesday called for strengthening traditional ties between China and Nigeria and exploring new space for cooperation including aviation and aerospace, in a bid to lift the bilateral strategic partnership to a higher level.

During talks with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Li also said that if China and Nigeria, the biggest and most populous economies in Asia and Africa, respectively, could strengthen cooperation, it would benefit the two peoples and also help promote regional and world development and prosperity.

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The premier said China is ready to consolidate mutual trust with Nigeria, expand cooperation, enhance exchanges, increase bilateral coordination in international and regional affairs, jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries, and push forward bilateral relations to a new high.

China is also willing to promote the bilateral trade and investment cooperation, work on trade balance, deepen cooperation in agriculture and energy, Li said.

He said that with good quality, high safety standards and reasonable prices, the Chinese-made regional planes that are developed by China on its own, is suitable for African markets and could be top choice for Nigerian and other African airlines.

For his part, Jonathan said Li's visit, undisturbed by recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria, proves that China is a reliable friend and shares weal and woe with Nigeria.

Jonathan expressed his gratitude for China's unremitting support and assistance to Nigeria, Africa and the Economic Community of West African States, saying the Nigerian side highly valued the China-Africa cooperation framework proposed by Li in his speech at the headquarters of the African Union during his latest visit to Ethiopia.

It would vigorously stimulate development in Africa, he said.

The president said he supports expansion of the bilateral cooperation and welcomes more Chinese investment, while promising to create a friendly environment for that purpose.

After the talks, the two leaders issued a joint statement and witnessed the signing of a series of agreements on economy and technology, medical treatment and public health, infrastructure, aviation and agriculture.

Li arrived here Tuesday on the second leg of his first Africa trip as Chinese premier.

While in Nigeria, Li is also scheduled to attend the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa and meet other African leaders.

Before Nigeria, Li paid a visit to Ethiopia, where he also went to the African Union headquarters and delivered a speech there to expound on China's Africa policy. Li will also travel to Angola and Kenya during his ongoing Africa tour.