Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in Beijing Monday that the
cooperation between China and Nigeria, two populous developing
nations, has bright prospects.
Jiang made the remarks in his talks with Nigerian President
Olusegun Obasanjo, who is in Beijing for a four-day state visit as
a guest of Jiang.
China and Nigeria share extensive interests in safeguarding world
peace, promoting South-South cooperation, developing their own
national economy and advancing common prosperity in the world, he
said.
The enhancement of such bilateral ties is not only in the
fundamental interests of the two, but also conducive to the world
peace and development, he said, adding that the Chinese government
and people hope to join hands with the Nigerian government and
people for such a cause.
In
the talks Jiang outlined a four-point proposal for advancing
bilateral ties.
The four-points are sincere friendship and mutual trust, mutually
beneficial cooperation for common development, enhancement of
consultations and mutual support, and facing up to the future.
Obasanjo said he highly appreciates Jiang's four-point proposal and
believes such a relationship could be further strengthened in the
new century.
Jiang said that both China and Nigeria now face up to the
challenges brought by economic globalization. The enhanced
consultations and cooperation in major international issues are
beneficial to the role of developing countries in international
affairs for the legal interests of developing countries.
Obasanjo fully agreed with Jiang's views on bilateral ties and the
regional situation. He described China as "a reliable friend” of
Nigeria and spoke highly of the accomplishments made by China in
its reform and opening-up drive.
He
said he hopes the two countries can expand and strengthen mutually
beneficial ties, in particular in telecommunications, energy,
transportation and other fields.
Jiang said that quite a number of competent Chinese companies are
willing to participate in the economic construction in Nigeria.
China and Nigeria signed six cooperative documents, including
inter-governmental pacts on cooperation, trade and mutual
investment protection, after the talks. Jiang and Obasanjo attended
the signing ceremony.
Jiang and Obasanjo also shared their common views on the solution
to the fundamental right of existence in such populous countries as
China and Nigeria.
"We hold no disagreement on universal principles of human rights,"
Jiang said. However, different countries should have their own
understanding about human rights based on their own national
conditions, Jiang said.
He
thanked Nigeria for siding with China on such major issues as human
rights.
Obasanjo said certain "random criticism" made by western countries
on China's human rights showed "double standards". And Nigeria
disagreed with the western nations' views on human rights.
For developing countries, he said, the solution to the problem of
feeding and clothing their people is the prime goal for them.
As
the world's most populous country, China has successfully solved
such a problem. This is the best human right, he said.
(China.org.cn
08/28/2001)