By Busayo Onijala
Lagos, Jan. 16, 2026 (NAN) Ms Yan Yuqing, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, says facts have shown that people-to-people exchanges form the most solid foundation of China-Africa friendship.
According to her, mutual learning among civilisations serves as the strongest driving force for China-Africa cooperation.
Yan made this known on Friday in her message on the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was recently launched at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.
According to Yan, the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, with major historical shifts taking place in the international landscape.
On her part, the Global South, represented by China and Africa, is developing and rising irresistibly, meanwhile, the world remains far from peaceful.
“The law of the jungle runs counter to international law and the basic norms of international relations, while power politics and acts of bullying infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.
“In the face of a turbulent world, China and Africa more than ever, need to uphold fairness and justice, strengthen solidarity and mutual support, and enhance exchanges and cooperation,” she said.
She praised the growing relationship between China and Nigeria, particularly in the area of cultural exchange.
Yan highlighted cultural activities held in 2025 including Nigerian National Wushu Championship, Ogun State Primary and Secondary School Knowledge Competition, and the campus tour by Huaxing Arts Troupe which enjoyed broad popularity.
According to her, the Huaxing Arts Troupe has not only demonstrated Chinese traditional art forms, such as lion dance and waist drum, but also integrated them with Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa folk dance.
All of these, she said are important windows for cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Nigeria, driving more youngsters to personally participate and become envoys of China-Nigeria friendship.
Yan said the year 2026 marks the 55th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria and the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa.
“In February, we will jointly celebrate Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year. Spring Festival belongs not only to China, but also to the world.
“Focusing on the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as the theme, we will continue to promote symbolic people-to-people exchange programmes including Window to China and the China-Nigeria Friendship School,” she said.
She said the mission would work with Chinese enterprises, schools and communities in the consular district to carry out charity projects in various fields, bringing more tangible interests to the Nigerian people.
Yan added that the mission would actively facilitate exchanges between cultural groups as well as other cultural events, fully releasing the potential of people-to-people exchanges in boosting the development of China-Nigeria relations.
“The China-Nigeria Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will advance to new levels, making greater contributions to the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era,” Yan said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
