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The following is the full text of the joint press communique
between China and Nigeria issued on Thursday during the state visit by
Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to China:

Joint Press Communique Between The Government of the People’s Republic
of China And The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Beijing, 28 February 2008

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of
China, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
paid a state visit to the People’s Republic of China from 27 February to
1 March 2008. President Yar’Adua and his entourage were warmly
received by the government and people of China.

During the visit, the two Presidents reviewed the sound growth of
China-Nigeria relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
They expressed satisfaction at the evolving strategic partnership and the
momentum of the ties between their two countries in recent years, and
decided to step up consultation between the two governments by launching
a strategic dialogue in due course to promote the in-depth growth of
bilateral relations.

The two leaders acknowledged the steady rise in the volume of trade,
economic and technical cooperation between the two countries and pledged
to further deepen and expand their mutually beneficial bilateral
cooperation. They agreed to promptly hold meetings of the joint commission
between the two countries to take stock of achievements in bilateral
trade and economic cooperation and plan future cooperation.

President Hu Jintao pledged China’s support for President Yar’Adua’s
programme of economic and social transformation of Nigeria as reflected
in the Seven Point Agenda. On his part, President Yar’Adua applauded the
remarkable achievements China has made in economic and social
development and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the one-China policy.

The two Presidents reviewed developments in Africa and stressed the
vital importance of enduring peace and stability to the progress and
prosperity of the continent. The Chinese side hailed Nigeria’s long-standing
role in the cause of peace in Africa and the Nigerian side applauded
the contribution made by China in support of the efforts of the African
Union in the peaceful resolution of conflict situations in Africa. In
this regard, the two leaders called for greater support of the
international community to facilitate the early deployment of the African
Union-United Nations hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur.

The Presidents underscored the essential nature of Africa-China
cooperation. They reiterated that the two sides will continue to work to
advance the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership featuring
political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural
exchanges and mutual learning, and expressed the view that the Forum
for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the policy measures the Chinese
government adopted to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with Africa
have provided a viable framework and strong support for promoting the
mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa.

President Hu Jintao and President Yar’Adua agreed to maintain regular
contacts between Nigeria and China. The two leaders affirmed that such
consultations and dialogue at the highest level were imperative at this
time when the two countries seek to continue to play a positive role in
regional and global affairs.

At the conclusion of the discussions, President Yar’Adua extended an
invitation to President Hu Jintao to undertake a state visit to Nigeria.
President Hu expressed thanks to President Yar’Adua for the invitation.