China, Nigeria pledge to enhance tourism, cultural exchanges

China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening tourism and cultural exchanges with Nigeria within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Mr Li Xuda, the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, spoke on Saturday at a Seminar themed “Advancing Culture and Tourism Exchange in BRI Cooperation.”

The seminar was jointly hosted by the China Alumni Association of Nigeria and the University of Abuja.

Xuda said such cultural exchanges would promote the bilateral relations between the two countries.

He emphasised the embassy’s consistent focus on enhancing people-to-people connections between China and Nigeria.

The envoy highlighted the significance of cultural and tourism exchanges in societal advancement and national development.

He listed the five core principles of the BRI as Policy Coordination, Infrastructure Connectivity, Trade Facilitation, Financial Integration and People-to-People Bonds.

“The aspect of people-to-people bonds extends beyond cultural and tourism interaction to fostering mutual understanding and respect among the diverse nations and regions involved in the BRI cooperation.

“Both China and Nigeria boast of rich cultural legacies and abundant tourism resources.

“Over the past six years, our partnership in the BRI has deepened our bilateral exchanges significantly.

“I am confident that our cultural and tourism pursuits will receive a further boost in the next phase of the high-quality BRI construction, leading to the bridging of existing gaps in our exchanges,” he said.

Mr Otunba Ajiboye, the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its continuous support in advancing Nigeria’s cultural and tourism sectors.

Ajiboye said that Nigeria’s diverse natural and cultural treasures, ranging from its picturesque national parks to its historical sites and bustling urban centres were key attractions for tourists.

He stressed on the necessity of leveraging the BRI to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism infrastructure, promote sustainable practices and offer distinctive cultural experiences to visitors.

Ajiboye added that BRI could stimulate tourism, revenue generation, job creation and cultural preservation.

“We are committed to collaborating with our Chinese counterparts to develop mutually beneficial joint projects, exchange programmes and initiatives that contribute positively to both countries,” Ajiboye said.