In a bid to strengthen cultural and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China, a seminar on “Promoting Harmony through Mutual Learning” was held on Thursday at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
Co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the University of Abuja, and the China Alumni Association, the event was attended by distinguished personalities, including Zhang Yi, Chargé D’affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja, Li Xuda, Director of China Cultural Centre, and Muhammad Sulaiman, President of the China Alumni Association. Members of the academic community, Chinese and Nigerian nationals were also present.
In his welcome address, Mr Zhang Yi, Chargé D’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, said both countries cherish the concept of harmony and enjoy a good relationship through performing the Nigeria-China Symphony.
“The concept of harmony is most emphasized by Chinese in its culture. At the level of man and nature, we advocate harmony in coexistence; at the level of family and society, we advocate harmony in integration; at the level of nation and civilization, we advocate harmony in diversity; at the level of state and governance, we advocate harmony in development,” Mr Zhang said.
The envoy stated that the Chinese Embassy has collaborated with various partners in Nigeria to organize a range of cultural events to further promote the “Sharing Chinese Harmony, Performing Nigeria-China Symphony” initiative.
In his keynote speech, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim of the University of Abuja highlighted the importance of promoting harmony and mutual learning between China and Nigeria, rooted in their shared history. He outlined key aspects of China’s development model that could be emulated to foster harmony and progress in Nigeria and Africa. These include the Communist Party of China’s harmonious leadership, a people-centred development approach, independence and self-reliance, reform and opening up, and the modernization of the large population.
“The concept of ‘common prosperity for all’ is emphasized as crucial in achieving not just modernization, but also harmony in diversity and coexistence,” Professor Ibrahim said.
Also speaking, Muhammad Sulaiman, President of the China Alumni Association, emphasized the need to look beyond the economic aspects and focus on the cultural dimensions of the China-Nigeria relationship. He noted that the Chinese are known for their punctuality, work ethic, and commitment to continuous improvement, which are valuable lessons for Nigerians.
“For Nigeria to truly harmonize with China, the country must adopt a similar mindset of independence, self-reliance, and a relentless pursuit of progress,” Mr. Sulaiman argued.
He called for a more deliberate approach to education, citizen enlightenment, and the development of key sectors like healthcare, software engineering, and content creation to revive Nigeria’s economy and foster true harmony with China.
Other speakers at the event stressed the need to deepen mutual learning and understanding for the betterment of both countries and peoples.
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