Distinguished Professor Liu Hongwu, Mr. Emewu, esteemed teachers, scholars, and friends,
    Good morning!

I am very pleased to attend, via video, the unveiling ceremony of the Media and Publicity Center of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University. On behalf of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the official launch of the Media and Publicity Center!
I also wish to express my sincere respect to Zhejiang Normal University—especially to Professor Liu Hongwu—and to scholars such as Mr. Emewu, who have long been dedicated to promoting China-Nigeria friendship and cultural exchange.

As a leading academic institution in African studies in China, Zhejiang Normal University has long been at the forefront of China-Africa educational and cultural exchanges. Just last month, our Consulate General, in collaboration with the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, and the African-China Economic Magazine, successfully co-hosted the second Lagos Forum. The theme was “Jointly Opening a New Chapter of Modernization: Implementing the Follow-up Actions of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit and Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Nigeria.”More than 100 representatives from the governments, media, think tanks, and business communities of both China and Nigeria came together to share their research findings and practical experiences. Today’s unveiling of the Media and Publicity Center is not only another important step in Zhejiang Normal University’s deepening of African studies, but also a new bridge for media and think tank cooperation as well as for enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Nigeria.

Distinguished guests, the media is the echo of our times, a bond that connects hearts and minds, and an essential channel for fostering understanding and mutual trust between nations. Transformations of the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. Changes of the world, of our times, and of the historical trajectory are taking place in ways like never before. In such a context, China-Africa and China-Nigeria relations need voices that are truthful, objective, and fair more than ever. We are pleased to see that an increasing number of Nigerian journalists and scholars are visiting China to gain a deeper understanding of the country. Likewise, more Chinese media professionals are coming to Nigeria to share the story of China-Nigeria cooperation and our shared journey of development.

Under the leadership of Director Liu Hongwu, the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University has achieved remarkable results in the field of African studies. The Institute has made significant progress in regional and country-specific studies on Africa, as well as in research on African politics, economy, education, history and culture. It has become a leading academic hub in China for African studies, an important think tank for policy consultation on African affairs, a key base for cultivating professionals specializing in Africa, and a vital force in people-to-people diplomacy with African countries. Its achievements have been widely recognized by stakeholders across both China and Africa.

I believe this center will provide a diverse platform for young students and scholars from both countries to engage in meaningful exchanges. It will support the joint training of media professionals from China and Nigeria, and promote greater cooperation and innovation in areas such as local exchanges, economic and trade collaboration, and cultural interaction. At the same time, I hope that media institutions, think tanks, experts and scholars from both sides will use this center as a bridge to deepen dialogue and mutual learning between China and Nigeria in policy research, national governance, and strategic alignment.

China and Nigeria, both major developing countries and important partners, have elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership under the guidance of the spirit of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the meeting between our two Heads of State. Our two countries have achieved notable results in traditional areas such as infrastructure, energy and agriculture, while also embracing new vitality in emerging fields like new energy, green and low-carbon economy, and financial innovation—demonstrating the growing potential of South-South cooperation. What I would like to emphasize is that media and think tank cooperation plays a vital role as soft power, helping to foster people-to-people connectivity and shape shared understanding on this solid foundation.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends! At present, China is advancing Chinese modernization through higher-quality development and a higher level of opening-up. At the same time, Africa is embracing new opportunities for development. China stands ready to work together with African countries—especially Nigeria—to further align our development strategies and jointly build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. I hope that media professionals and scholars will seize this opportunity to tell the story of China-Nigeria cooperation, spread the voice of China-Nigeria friendship, and inject lasting momentum into the long-term development of China-Nigeria and China-Africa relations.

In conclusion, I wish the Media and Publicity Center continued success and ever greater achievements in contributing to China-Nigeria exchanges and cooperation.

Thank you all!