YANGTZE DIPLOMACY: THE THREE GORGES DAM AND NIGERIA, CHINA, SYMBIOTIC FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP.

''China Yangtze Three Gorges Project (TGP), as one of the biggest hydropower-complex project in the world, ranks as the key project for improvement and development of Yangtze River. The dam is located in the areas of Xilingxia gorge, one of the three gorges of the river, which will control a drainage area of 1 million km 2 , with an average annual runoff of 451 billion m3 . The open valley at the dam site, with hard and complete granite as the bedrock, has provided the favorable topographical and geological conditions for dam construction''.-ctgpc.com

 

Nigeria importance in Africa and its economic dominance in the West Africa subregion is like the Yangtze river which dominates China coupled with the significant roles played by the Yangtze river in shaping the economic and political history of China. This is a river that has being the border of kingdoms and Several dynasties with a rich cultural heritage the same way we have in Nigeria.

Therefore, it would not be an over-exaggeration to paraphrase thus; that the openess and mutual understanding build with hard and complete granite as the bedrock of Nigeria/China diplomatic relationship have provided the favourable topographical and geological conditions politically/diplomatically speaking within the ambiance of symbiotic friendly relationships that have existed betwen the two countries translating to a successful visit by the President.

Diplomacy and friendly relations are not mutually exclusive rather they are interrelated in a systematic cum symbiotic mannerism involving pleasantly tactful work of maintaining suave, shrewd and good relations between the governments of different states.

 Africans in China trade as economic cooperation.

The concretization of such relationship is observable in the exchanges of high level diplomats to work in each other’s countries as Ambassadors or High commissioners as the case may apply. We need to be conscious here of the significance of diplomacy as an instrumentarium for leveraging a relationship of mutual benefit or dependence associated with such handling on the socio-economic cum political stratosphere both in bi-lateral and multi-lateral exchanges on a global scale (Win-Win Situation).

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Optional Protocols done at VIENNA, ON 18 APRIL 1961 emphasised the historical and present significance of diplomatic agents and friendly relations in the affairs of nations and states in its introduction thus '' The States Parties to the present Convention, Recalling that peoples of all nations from ancient times have recognized the status of diplomatic agents,... the maintenance of international peace and security, and the promotion of friendly relations among nations,... Believing that an international convention on diplomatic intercourse, privileges and immunities would contribute to the development of friendly relations among nations, irrespective of their differing constitutional and social systems,''-mfa.gov.tr

Nigeria/China diplomatic relationship in all ramification is a symbolic representation of the win-win situation observable within the China/Africa development cooperation and China/Africa Development Fund with the objective of exponential increment of investment in Africa by Chinese companies in power generation, transportation infrastructure, natural resources, manufacturing, and other sectors. Nigeria is in a better position to take advantage positively speaking of the opportunities provided by these initiatives to transition into the next level of industrialization and technology transfer that are of fundamental importance to our development by harnessing funds available. To this end I believe @mbuhari visit to China has achieved Economic alliance, Security alliance and political consensus.

Here are the highlights of the president's achievements during his visit to China:

''President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his working visit to China, which has yielded additional investments in Nigeria exceeding $6 billion USD.

He believed that the several agreements concluded with the Chinese during the visit will have a huge and positive impact on key sectors of the Nigerian economy including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, North South Power Company Limited and Sinohydro Corporation Limited signed an agreement valued at $478,657,941.28 for the construction of 300 Mega Watts solar power in Shiriro, Niger State.

In the solid minerals sector, Granite and Marble Nigeria Limited and Shanghai Shibang signed an agreement valued at $55 million for the construction and equipping of granite mining plant in Nigeria.

A total of $1 billion USD is to be invested in the development of a greenfield expressway for Abuja-Ibadan-Lagos under an agreement reached by the Infrastructure Bank and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

For the housing sector, both companies also sealed a $250 million deal to develop an ultra modern 27-storey high rise complex and a $2.5 billion agreement for the development of the Lagos Metro Rail Transit Red Line project.

Other agreements announced and signed during the visit include a $1 billion for the establishment of a Hi-tech industrial park in Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, Ogun State.

Furthermore, the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone and CNG (Nigeria) Investment Limited also signed an agreement valued at $200million for the construction of two 500MT/day float gas facilities.

An agreement valued at $363 million for the establishment of a comprehensive farm and downstream industrial park in Kogi state was also announced at the Nigeria-China business forum.

Other agreements undergoing negotiations include a $500 million project for the provision of television broadcast equipment and a $25 million facility for production of pre-paid smart meters between Mojec International Limited and Microstar Company Limited.

About 100 Nigerian businesses and 300 Chinese firms participated in the Nigeria-China business forum which took place a day after President Buhari began his visit to China''.-http://abusidiqu.com/buharis-visit-china-yields-billions-investment/

Nigeria needs to strenghtened this strategic relationship with China because China's engagement with Africa is broad and extensive. We cannot allow this golden opportunity to slip through our fingers.

A look in the development baskets of African countries are revealing of the fact that other countries in Africa like Ethiopia, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, have taken advantage positively speaking of the development funds provided by China to advance their economic and infrastructural development significantly.

Mr. President has taken the right decision with this visit to China for economic interactions and cultural exchanges that will eventually contribute to higher economic dividend for Nigerians. China is a reliable friend and partner for developing countries and Nigeria.

OTUNBA ADE ILEMOBADE is a philosopher

Twitter: @pearl2prince