Nigeria and China to promote cultural diplomacy

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, has solicited for more cultural collaboration with the Peoples Republic of China.

Runsewe made this request during a courtesy visit to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Zhou Pingjian in Abuja, recently.

NCAC boss thanked the Chinese for always supporting Nigeria in areas of human capital development and presently, the area of rail system construction.

‘’It is on record that about seven states in Nigeria are currently understudying your rail system,” Runsewe said praising the ambassador for giving the staff of the council a capacity building training and also making Nigerians living in China feel welcome.

Otunba intimated the ambassador on the plan of the council to take the 36 commissioners of various states of the Federation to China to understudy the Chinese cultural content in order to replicate it in Nigeria, adding, “We will also like to formally invite you to next year’s AFAC which will come early in the year.”

On his part, the ambassador stated that Nigeria and China have similarities in terms of population and economy.

He also mentioned that both countries are the major forces in socio-economy strength in their respective continents saying Nigeria stands tall in Africa while China is a force to reckon with in Asia continent. He was also emphatic that both countries enjoy a very big cultural diversity.

‘’ Nigeria’s tradition is awesome, we can truly work together,” said the ambassador who reiterated that China’s government is ever ready to explore the various areas of collaboration in terms of cultural exchanges, capacity building and many other areas of opportunity.

The envoy noted that, “It is on record that both countries are major players in the world, if we build on our existing bilateral relationship, both nations will further make huge impact in the world as a whole.”

Pingjian assured his guests that China will do everything to work harmoniously with Nigeria in areas of trade and commerce, technological advancement and other areas that will be of mutual interest to both countries.

“China being the biggest economy in the world, I am happy to tell you that over 120, 000 million Nigerians visit China annually, we shall continue to play our leading role in the world and particularly in Nigeria as the most populous nation in Africa.