The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, revealed that Nigeria and China are presently executing three-year collaborative initiatives aimed at modernization to enhance China-Africa collaboration.
On Saturday, Dunhai shared this during his speech at the 2025 ‘Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon,’ themed ‘The Sound of Tea Amidst Nature’s Whispers and the Fragrance of Idyllic Jiangnan,’ held at the China Cultural Center in Abuja, Nigeria.
He stated: “Last year, the leaders from both countries convened in Beijing and together decided to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thus ushering in a fresh era in their bilateral ties.”
We are currently putting into action the ‘Ten Partnership Actions for Modernisation,’ which spans three years from 2025 to 2027, aimed at deepening cooperation between China and Africa involving Nigeria and 52 other African nations.
‘Cultural exchange plays a crucial role in this initiative. The year 2026 has been designated as the ‘Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchange Between China and Africa’. In this context, the cultural interactions between China and Nigeria bear the significant responsibility of fostering cross-cultural understanding and strengthening the bond between the citizens of both nations.’
Dunhai mentioned the growing collaboration between the two nations across various sectors including culture, tourism, and education. He stated, “Nigerian students study tea ceremonies and opera in China, where they also present their musical and dancing traditions. Meanwhile, Chinese volunteers teach Mandarin and share knowledge about tea culture in Nigeria, all while immersing themselves in learning local languages and customs.”
He stated that Chinese tea culture encapsulates the profound wisdom of a 5000-year-old philosophy, noting that the tea ceremony highlights harmony, purity, and grace, aiming to foster equilibrium between humans and nature, as well as connections among people and within one’s own spirit.
‘The ethos of China’s tea ceremony, such as ‘harmony is precious’ and ‘making friends through tea’, deeply resonates with Nigeria’s cultural philosophy that values harmony, which has become a spiritual bridge connecting our two great civilisations,’ he stressed.
He assured of the Embassy’s commitment to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, education, creative economy and other fields to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
At the event, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, stated that the government is committed to backing projects that blend traditional customs with contemporary innovations. They aim to create cultural centers that encourage skill sharing in agriculture and beverages, as well as enhance international collaborations that boost Nigeria’s creative sector.
Although acknowledging that tea originates from Nigeria, he pointed out its widespread presence in Nigerian households, marketplaces, and business environments, highlighting its significance as a unifying social catalyst.
Economically speaking, Nigeria’s tea market keeps growing, offering chances for agro-processing, innovative branding, and cultural tourism.
“Our ministry is dedicated to nurturing innovative businesses centered on tea, encouraging regional variations, backing events related to tea, and seeking collaborations that boost Nigeria’s involvement in the worldwide tea market,” stated Yawale.
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