Ms. Yan Yuqing is the new Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos. In this interview with JOSEPH ONYEKWERE, NGOZI EGENUKA and STEVE OBUM, she talks about trade ties between Nigeria and China and how it has grown in the last 10 months to $18.84 billion (N15.7tr). She also explained the underlying Chinese visa policy, her non-alignment principles and relations with the US, Russia and Taiwan, among other issues.
What has been your experience since resuming in Lagos six months ago?
I’ve been in Nigeria for about six months, to take up the post of Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, and this is my first time working in Africa. I found that Nigerian people are so enthusiastic, and many of them have become good friends or even families with the Chinese here.
Nigeria’s wonderful cultures also impress me a lot. I visited the National Museum in July, and knew that Nigeria has as long a history as China. I watched the three major Nigerian Folk Dances of Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. Now I’ve got three Nigerian names. Here the Yoruba friends call me Ayo, and when I go to Cross River State, my Igbo friends there call me Uche, and when I go to Abuja on business, my Hausa friends there call me Fatima. I also enjoy Nigerian foods, among them my favorites are moi-moi and Jollof rice. Moi-moi is a bit like the zongzi that people eat at the Dragon Boat Festival in China, except that moi-moi is made of beans, while zongzi is usually made of rice. Nigeria should also be proud of its sports power. I’ve become a fan of the Nigerian National Football Team, the Super Eagles.
There is so much more I want to share but all in all, I have fallen in love with Nigeria.
What do you think about Nigeria-China relationship on immigration, considering the Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) policy, which Nigeria accords non-diplomatic Chinese passport holders, but not reciprocated?
Since China announced the decision to manage COVID-19 with measures against Class-B infectious diseases, the Chinese authorities and embassies and consulates around the world have resumed the issuance of multiple visas, port visas and visa-free transit policy. Starting from mid-August, a phased exemption from fingerprinting was introduced for eligible applicants who are on business traveling, visiting relatives, etc. Starting from August 30, the COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen tests were not required before the entry into China. Visa fees for Nigerian citizens applying to travel to China were reduced from mid-December.
In addition to the above measures, since the beginning of this year, China has signed visa-free agreements with a number of countries, including Kazakhstan, Madagascar and Singapore, and has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy on a trial basis for ordinary passport holders from six countries, namely, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.
All walks of life have positively commented on the above measures, and the number of visas issued by the Chinese Embassy and Consulate General in Nigeria has picked up rapidly, while the number of Nigerian arrivals has been steadily increasing. In the next step, China is willing to make joint efforts with the Nigerian side to continuously optimise the visa policy and actively create favourable conditions, so as to provide more facilitation for the flow of people between China and Nigeria.
The bottlenecks and barriers mounted on China visa application processes have locked up China against Nigeria’s business individuals and groups. What is responsible for this policy?
First of all, I would like to say that I am very optimistic about the China-Nigeria relations, especially the prospects of the two countries’ people-to-people exchanges as well as economic and trade contacts that you have mentioned. As I have just explained, since the beginning of this year, the Chinese authorities have continued to optimise its policy on visas and entry of foreigners into China, and have introduced a series of measures to facilitate the flow of people between China and foreign countries, which have been generally welcomed by the international community.
I would like to stress that China’s gate is always open, and it will be opened wider and wider. I don’t think that we are setting up barriers in terms of visas; on the contrary, we are taking practical actions to show all countries that we are striving to remove obstacles and broaden channels for the smooth flow of people between China and foreign countries, and to create favourable conditions and provide more convenience.
The stringent condition imposed on applicants before a letter of invitation is issued makes the process rigorous and discouraging. Is there any justification for that and will genuine travelers scale this hurdle easily?
Nigeria is an important strategic partner of China in Africa and an important country participating in the construction of the “Belt and Road” (BRI), and the Chinese government attaches great importance to practical cooperation and bilateral exchanges with Nigeria in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, education, agriculture and other areas. China’s visa policy values continuity and also adjusts dynamically and flexibly according to the needs of bilateral co-operation.
To facilitate bilateral exchanges between China and Nigeria, the Chinese authorities are guided by the principles of pragmatism, co-operation and promotion of bilateral exchanges in the visa policy, and do their utmost to ensure the convenience of exchanges between the two countries and effectively safeguard the interests of both China and Nigeria. As the scale of trade between China and Nigeria continues to expand and the people-to-people exchanges become increasingly frequent, we are also actively researching and dynamically adjusting our visa policy towards Nigeria.
Some of your nationals are allegedly engaged in illegal mining activities, which is an economic sabotage. Does this give you any concern and is anything in the offing to stem the tide?
The Chinese Consulate General has long attached great importance to the legitimate operation of Chinese enterprises in Nigeria, and has constantly reminded them to respect the legal rights of local workers and interests of local communities, including in the mining industry. Many Chinese enterprises have done the same as they have promised. Many Chinese companies also carry out charity activities in the communities where they are located, to give back to the local community. In Lagos, an association of Chinese enterprises are running a charity program called “Renewed Hope, Rebirth from the Light”, which finances surgery for three Nigerian cataract patients every quarter. Many Chinese companies in Nigeria have become friends and even families with local residents.
On the other hand, I don’t think it’s horrible for allegations to arise. What I worry about is that those allegations are partially reported, and even are used deliberately to spread rumors. In other cases, Chinese-invested mining companies are widely reported to be “destroying forestation”, “polluting rivers” and so on. But in reality, most Chinese mining companies are committed to pollution prevention and carrying out careful reforestation and earth backfilling after mining is complete. Unfortunately, as the Chinese saying goes, “You can make a rumor by only opening your mouth, but you have to run your legs off to disprove it” and very few people care about facts anymore. I hope that the media will be prudent in their reporting so as to avoid being used by those who have ulterior motives to affect the overall situation of China-Nigerian cooperation.
Finally but most importantly, of course, if infringement by a Chinese company does occur, the Chinese Embassy and General Consulate will never tolerate it and support all legal means to resolve the dispute accordingly and reasonably.
These hurdles violate the framework of the agreement on the Belt and Road Initiative signed between former Presidents, Muhammadu Buhari and Xi Jinping, which guaranteed that there would be more business and trade transactions between China and Nigeria.
Bilateral trade between China and Nigeria has made significant achievements in recent years. This year is the 10th anniversary of the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI), and Nigeria is a pilot country of the initiative, and in the past five years, except for 2020, which was affected by COVID-19, Nigeria has always been one of China’s top three trading partners in Africa. In the first 10 months of this year, bilateral trade between China and Nigeria totalled US$18.84 billion (N15.7tr) and we believe that under the framework of BRI, as long as we work together in one direction, we will be able to promote the bilateral economic and trade between China and Nigeria in a more reasonable direction.
Apart from that, I want to say that every year, we promote Nigerian participants to China to attend international exhibitions such as China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), China International Import Expo, the Global Trade in Services Summit, etc., which is widely praised by the Nigerian industrial and commercial sectors. It is worth mentioning that for this year’s Canton Fair, we opened up the online channel for more Nigerian applications to go to Guangzhou and successfully participate in the Fair.
Through media reports, I noted that Ms Temitope Akintunde, the Public Relations Director of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, gave a full and positive assessment of the Canton Fair during her visit to Guangzhou. Some Nigerians may not be aware of Chinese visa policy or the application channels, but we will also strengthen our advocacy in the future.
Let me close by saying that we always encourage capable Nigerian entrepreneurs, buyers and manufacturers to do business in China, and we are ready to facilitate and assist in this endeavour.
What do you think is the solution to the war between Israel and Hamas as well as the one between your ally, Russia and Ukraine?
First of all, I would like to emphasise that China maintains very friendly relations with Russia, but there is a difference between that and an alliance, and non-alignment is one of the core principles of Chinese diplomacy. China-Russian relations are non-aligned, non-confrontational and not directed against any third country.
About the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, we stress the need for an immediate ceasefire and ending the fighting, ensuring that the humanitarian corridors are safe and unimpeded, and preventing the expansion of the conflict. The fundamental way out of this lies in the two-state solution, building international consensus for peace, and working toward a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date.
As for the Ukraine issue, China’s position on it is consistent and clear. Ukraine should not become the frontier in major power confrontation. Under current circumstances, all sides need to remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid taking any action that might further escalate or complicate the crisis. Efforts should be made to build a balanced, effective and durable European security architecture through dialogue and consultation and find a solution that is truly conducive to lasting peace and security in Europe.
We would like to know what the crucial visit to the US by President Xi Jinping entails, considering that US-China relations have not been cordial.
The world is currently undergoing changes unseen in a century, and there’s no doubt that the international community pays high attention to where China-US relations will be heading. At such an important juncture, From November 14 to 17, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping started his journey to San Francisco and held a meeting with the US President Joe Biden to discuss the right way forward for China and the United States to get along with each other.
International commentary described that the visit has been world-recognised, yielded fruitful outcomes, and been of far-reaching implications, increasing stability in China-US relations, bringing new impetus to Asia-Pacific cooperation, and injecting positive energy into international and regional landscapes, and showing President Xi Jinping’s leadership as a farsighted head of a major country with a global vision.
As Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr. Wang Yi pointed out, this visit has four points of significance. First, it is charting the course for China-US relations in the new era. Since the beginning of this year, China-US relations have undergone some twists and turns and been faced with difficulties, which is not in alignment with the interests and aspirations of the people of the two countries. President Xi Jinping went to the US upon invitation to promote once again the stability and improvement of China-US relations at the historical juncture.
Second is galvanizing both countries’ peoples into a strong force. From Seattle to San Francisco, after eight years, President Xi Jinping once again had cordial interactions with friendly people from all walks of life in the United States, suggesting that the foundation of China-U.S. friendship is still there, the motivation for exchanges remains, and the prospect for cooperation is promising. Third is carrying forward the original aspiration of Asia-Pacific cooperation. President Xi Jinping renewed the original aspiration of the APEC mechanism on the west coast of the US, once again charting the course and drawing a blueprint for Asia-Pacific cooperation. Fourth is expounding on China’s path and vision. During the visit, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the APEC CEO Summit, and made an introduction to the essence of Chinese modernization and its global significance to all walks of life in the United States and APEC participants on multiple occasions.
China had a devastating war with Japan and has also been criticized for being a one-party socialist republic. In all of these, it has evolved as a superpower. How, in your view, can Nigeria reproduce your kind of success, looking at our peculiar socio-political challenges?
If a political party strives to pursue selfless goals and strives for the common interests, prosperity and well-being of the people, then such a party will always get the support of the people. And the Communist Party of China is undoubtedly such a party. The CPC leads Chinese people in upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, pursuing high-quality development, developing whole-process people’s democracy, enriching the people’s spiritual lives, achieving common prosperity for all, promoting harmony between humanity and nature, building a human community with a shared future, and creating a new form of human advancement. It has become the Chinese modernization with a huge population, common prosperity for all, material and cultural-ethical advancement, harmony between humanity and nature and peaceful development.
Nigeria shares a similar history with China, with long history and splendid cultures and a large population. In recent years, under the framework of BRI and China-Africa cooperation, more projects have taken root in Nigeria, which have enhanced the well-being of the Nigerian people and brought real benefits to the Nigerian people. These projects are not only the hope of the Nigerian people for social development and a better life, but also the deep friendship between China and Nigeria, and the infinite possibilities for the future of the China-Africa community of destiny.
How conducive and accommodating is the Nigerian business environment to Chinese business interests and vice versa?
At present, China is a major driving force, which has contributed an average of more than 30 per cent to world economic growth. The stable and progressive performance of China’s economy also promoted the economic and trade cooperation between China and Nigeria.
In this year, Nigeria has continued to maintain its position as China’s third largest trading partner in Africa, the largest engineering contracting market and an important investment destination. China-Nigeria bilateral economic and trade relations have sustained vigorous developments with larger cooperation scale, broader fields and more diversified patterns.
In Nigeria, Chinese commodities are very popular among local consumers. In addition, Nigeria’s exports of petroleum, natural gas and farm produce to China have provided important production and livelihood materials for Chinese people.
Obviously, both China and Nigeria are big developing countries, having their own advantages in resources, funds, human capital and market, and they are highly complementary to each other, have huge potential for cooperation and broad development space.
In the future, we will positively implement the consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders in promoting high-quality development of “Belt and Road” cooperation, to further tap cooperation potentials, enrich cooperation contents, innovate cooperation patterns, and push forward bilateral economic and trade cooperation in larger scales, broader fields and higher levels.
China and Nigeria boast of a huge market, so there is a tremendous potential for bilateral trade. China will continue to encourage its businesses to export products with high quality and at proper prices to Nigeria, and import more advantageous Nigerian products so as to optimise bilateral trade structure.
Second, Nigeria’s huge consumer market, demographic dividend are highly complementary to China’s processing industry. The two parties could rely on economic and trade cooperation zones to strengthen cooperation on textile, apparel and household appliances, gradually expanding scales and striving for industrial clusters to enhance their cooperation. Thirdly, China will encourage more enterprises with capability to increase their investment in manufacturing, technological transfer and personnel training, and create more jobs in Nigeria.
Why has China not been able to resolve its conflict with Taiwan and what does the future hold for the two peoples?
First of all and most importantly, I need to clarify that the Taiwan question is completely China’s internal affair. There is but one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole lawful Government of China. The principle of sovereignty is stipulated in the UN Charter, and all member states must follow it and abide by it as an obligation. Such a matter of principle leaves no room for ambiguity. So it’s not appropriate to say that China has conflict with Taiwan, one of its provinces. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same culture and bloodline.
Secondly, let’s talk about history. As a result of the civil war in China in the late 1940s and the interference of external forces, the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have fallen into a state of protracted political confrontation. But the sovereignty and territory of China have never been divided and will never be divided, and Taiwan’s status as part of China’s territory has never changed and will never be allowed to change. At its 26th session in October 1971, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which undertook “to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognise the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organisations related to it”. It also spelled out that China has one single seat in the UN, so there is no such thing as “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”.
Resolution 2758 is a political document encapsulating the one-China principle whose legal authority leaves no room for doubt and has been acknowledged worldwide. The one-China principle represents the universal consensus of the international community; it is consistent with the basic norms of international relations. To date, 182 countries, including Nigeria, have established diplomatic relations with the PRC on the basis of the one-China principle.
In my opinion, both Nigerian and Chinese people share the values of optimism, simplicity and kindness, and show similar national pride and identity, especially their strong sense and firm position of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and opposing all secessionist forces, which makes me firmly believe that there is a deep soil of mutual understanding and support between the two peoples.
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