Tinubu to Hold High-Level Talks with Xi Jinping in China

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is set to engage in strategic discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an official visit to China, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

Between September 4 and 6, 2024, President Xi Jinping of China will engage in bilateral discussions with his Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu during the Forum on China – Africa Cooperation Summit.

Tinubu is set to attend the Summit as ECOWAS representative in China while on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Authority of Heads and Government for ECOWAS is chaired by Nigeria’s president.

According to State House correspondents on Tuesday, presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale stated that Tinubu will deliberate about regional peace and security at the summit.

Ngelale stated that the objective of the journey is to generate substantial economic advantages for Nigeria.

Amidst a series of Nigerian asset seizures by Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, Tinubu’s scheduled meeting with one of the world’s most influential presidents will proceed as planned.

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Usman Sarki, a former Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, suggests that employing diplomatic measures would be an effective approach towards putting a stop to foreign entities seizing Nigerian assets.

Sarki implored Tinubu to promptly arrange a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in order to settle the dispute between Nigeria’s Federal Government and the Chinese corporation.

The firm was recently granted a ruling in its favor by a French court, allowing for the seizure of presidential jets that belong to the Nigerian government.

The court located in Paris has favored the Chinese company during a disagreement concerning an arbitration award. This decision enables them to impound three presidential jets undergoing regular maintenance within France as “security” for claims related to a judicial issue spanning several decades between the foreign firm and Ogun State government.