Chinese community in Abuja hosts temple fair to mark Spring Festival

On Sat, Feb 17, 2024, the Chinese community in Abuja, Nigeria, in collaboration with local partners, organized a temple fair to commemorate the Spring Festival and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria.

The event, held at the China Cultural Center in Abuja, marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year, celebrating the Year of the Horse. The fair included various cultural performances and a picture exhibition, drawing over 1,500 attendees.

Participants experienced traditional Chinese Wushu performances and engaged in cultural activities such as tea art, calligraphy, and traditional Chinese medicine. Additionally, they sampled a range of classic Chinese dishes.

Zhou Hongyou, the charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the historical importance of 55 years of bilateral cooperation, which has evolved into a model of South-South collaboration.

Joseph Tegbe, director-general of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, acknowledged the significant achievements of China-Nigeria cooperation, notably in infrastructure development. He referenced the one-billion-U.S.-dollar National Integrated Poultry Project as a key initiative inspired by Chinese agricultural practices.

Tegbe highlighted the importance of welcoming Chinese businesses to Nigeria and fostering partnerships focused on capacity building, skills transfer, and shared growth. He reiterated Nigeria's commitment to providing a supportive environment grounded in hospitality, trust, and mutual respect.

Other participants expressed their admiration for China's rapid development and extended their best wishes. Chukwuka Ojukwuara, executive director of the Center for the Study of the Economies of Africa, remarked on China's resilience and progress in the global landscape.

Based on reporting by Africanews.