Nigeria, China implementing 10 partnership actions to deepen China-Africa cooperation – Amb Dunhai

Nigeria and China are currently implementing three-year partnership actions for modernisation to deepen China-Africa cooperation, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has disclosed. Dunhai disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the 2025 ‘Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon, tagged: “Tea in Nature’s Whisper, Aroma of Picturesque Jiangnan” at the China Cultural Centre in […]

Nigeria and China are currently implementing three-year partnership actions for modernisation to deepen China-Africa cooperation, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has disclosed.

Dunhai disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the 2025 ‘Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon, tagged: “Tea in Nature’s Whisper, Aroma of Picturesque Jiangnan” at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, Nigeria.

He said: “Last year, the two heads of state met in Beijing and jointly agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.

“We are now implementing the three-year (2025-2027) ‘Ten Partnership Actions for Modernisation to deepen China-Africa Cooperation’ with Nigeria and 52 African countries.

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“And cultural exchange is a very important part of this initiative. The year 2026 is the ‘China-Africa Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchange’, and China-Nigeria cultural exchanges shoulder the important historical mission of promoting mutual learning between civilisations and connecting hearts and minds of the two countries.”

Dunhai said there had been increasingly closer cooperation between the two countries in culture, tourism, education and many other fields, saying: “Nigerian students learn tea art and opera in China and showcase Nigerian music and dance culture in China; Chinese volunteers promote Chinese language and tea culture in Nigeria and learn local languages and cultures.”

He said the Chinese tea culture embodies the philosophical wisdom of five millennia, adding that the tea ceremony emphasises harmony, purity, and elegance, focusing on achieving balance between humanity and nature, connection between oneself and others, and inner harmony of the human heart.

“The ethos of China’s tea ceremony, such as ‘harmony is precious’ and ‘making friends through tea’, deeply resonates with Nigeria’s cultural philosophy that values harmony, which has become a spiritual bridge connecting our two great civilisations,” he stressed.

He assured of the Embassy’s commitment to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, education, creative economy and other fields to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Speaking at the event, Dr Muhktar Yawale, Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, the government is dedicated to supporting initiatives that infuse traditional practices with modern innovation, establishing cultural hubs that foster skills exchange in agro-industry and beverage craftsmanship, strengthening bilateral partnerships that elevate Nigeria’s creative economy.

While noting that tea is indigenous to Nigeria, he said its popularity in Nigerian homes, markets and corporate spaces speaks to its role as a unifying social lubricant.

“Economically, Nigeria’s tea market continues to expand, presenting opportunities for agro-processing, creative branding and cultural tourism.

“Our Ministry is committed to fostering creative enterprises around tea, promoting local adaptations, supporting tea-related festivals, and exploring partnerships that enhance Nigeria’s participation in the global tea economy,” Yawale said.