Representatives of BGICC with Ambassador Yu Dunhai

On September 27th, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria hosted a grand reception in Abuja to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. The event attracted around 600 guests, including distinguished Nigerian officials and members of the diplomatic community.Ambassador Yu Dunhai of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Speaker Tajudeen of the Nigerian House of Representatives attended and delivered speeches.

Ambassador Yu Dunhai delivers a speech

In his address, Ambassador Yu Dunhai expressed his honor at serving as the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and reflected on the deepening China-Nigeria relations.“It is a great pleasure to meet so many friends and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China,”Yu said, emphasizing the warmth and hospitality he has experienced since his arrival in Nigeria.

Representatives of BGICC with Ambassador Yu Dunhai

Reflecting on China’s progress since its founding, Ambassador Yu praised the country's remarkable transformation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). He highlighted China’s achievements in poverty alleviation, with an average of 10 million people lifted out of poverty annually over the past decade. He noted that nearly 100 million Chinese people have shaken off poverty, marking a major milestone in China’s history.

Representatives of BGICC with Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor and Director of the China Cultural Center in Nigeria

Ambassador Yu further remarked on the country’s economic and social progress, stating,“China has witnessed profound and transformative changes over the past 75 years, moving from poverty and weakness to strength and prosperity.”He pointed out that China has contributed more than 30 percent of global economic growth between 2013 and 2023, establishing itself as a key driver of the global economy.

Representatives of BGICC with Hou Wenyu, Police Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria

Turning to the future, Ambassador Yu discussed China’s long-term goals, including its Second Centenary Goal, which aims to build a prosperous, democratic, culturally advanced, and beautiful modern socialist country by 2049. He emphasized that China’s high-quality development would continue to present new opportunities for Nigeria and Africa, further strengthening China-Nigeria cooperation.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen addresses the audience

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, in his congratulatory remarks, praised China's significant contributions to global governance and its growing influence on the world stage. He acknowledged the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and China, built on mutual respect and shared development goals, noting that both countries have achieved substantial cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.

Performance of Shaolin Kung Fu from Henan, China

The celebration also included a cultural showcase, featuring the Shaolin Kung Fu and Henan Opera troupe from China’s Henan Province. Performers entertained the audience with traditional Chinese opera and martial arts displays, including excerpts from "Fengxue Pei" and "Hua Mulan," demonstrating the richness of Chinese cultural heritage. Attendees also enjoyed an exhibition of traditional Chinese crafts, such as pyrography and clay sculpting, and sampled Chinese cuisine.

Performance of Henan Opera

The reception highlighted the growing friendship between China and Nigeria, with both nations committed to further strengthening their ties. As Ambassador Yu noted in his closing remarks,“We are both ancient yet young countries, marching forward with confidence toward modernization. Let us continue to work with a common purpose to build a community with a shared future.”

The reception commenced with the playing of the national anthem of the People's Republic of China

The festive evening highlighted the strong bond between China and Nigeria, as guests from both countries came together to celebrate their rich history and promising future in bilateral relations. This celebration not only marked the anniversary but also emphasized the deepening ties between the nations, with employees from BGICC—both Chinese and Nigerian—joining in to witness this historic moment and reinforce their collaborative spirit.

Scene from the reception