Abuja — At a Mid-Autumn Festival event held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja ,28th September, China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, emphasised that cultural exchange is a crucial bridge for enhancing bilateral cooperation across sectors. (
Ambassador Yu described the festival — a Chinese celebration symbolising reunion, harmony and blessing — as “more than artistry,” serving as a heartfelt testament to the deepening China–Nigeria friendship. He reaffirmed that culture and people-to-people ties can reinforce diplomatic, economic, educational and technological partnerships.
Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad, Permanent Secretary in Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism & the Creative Economy, lauded the Chinese artists’ performances and framed the shared 1 October national dates of Nigeria and China as symbols of aligned aspirations for development, pride and progress.
Li Qiangqiang, Deputy Director-General of Shenzhen’s Bureau of Culture, Media, Tourism & Sports, called cultural dialogue “a dialogue of the heart and the cornerstone of friendship.” He expressed optimism that cooperation between Shenzhen and Nigeria would inject fresh momentum into the nations’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The cultural showcase included performances by the Shenzhen Opera & Dance Theatre, the Shantou Acrobatic Troupe, the Shenzhen XingZhe Fusion Band, and a photo exhibition spotlighting Shenzhen’s evolution into a global hub of creativity and technology.
Observers note that Nigeria is already strengthening cultural outreach: in July 2025, Nigeria’s national radio launched a weekly Mandarin-language programme, “Ni Hao, China,” to foster mutual understanding. Meanwhile, bilateral trade from January to July 2025 reached USD 15.48 billion, underscoring the deepening economic dimension of this relationship.
Beyond this event, Nigeria and China have pledged to promote cultural diplomacy as a vehicle for sustainable development, tapping into the creative economy, tourism exchanges and heritage cooperation.
SOURCE: Aljazeera,Vanguard
IMAGE: Zawya
