In a renewed show of diplomatic goodwill, the Chinese Government has taken significant steps to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria following the visa issues that forced Team Nigeria to withdraw from the World Relays in Guangzhou, China.
Read Also: Emem Essien Inspires Edo Queens to Super Six Revival with Brace Against Naija Ratels
The landmark development came during a diplomatic visit by officials of the Chinese Embassy to the National Sports Commission (NSC) in Abuja.
The visit underscored China’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with Nigeria, particularly in the area of sports development.
Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, expressed regret over the visa complications and emphasized that the situation was an unfortunate incident.
“We are sorry and we regret what happened in its entirety. We are here to reaffirm that the Chinese Government holds Nigeria in high esteem,” he said.
“We are open to deeper collaboration with the National Sports Commission to enhance diplomatic ties through sports training and exchange programmes.”
Mr. Yang also announced plans to establish a special communication channel dedicated to Nigeria-China sports relations to prevent future administrative hiccups.
In response, Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, welcomed the gesture and praised the Chinese Government’s humility and swift diplomatic engagement.
“This visit reflects a genuine sense of responsibility and a desire to strengthen ties. We view it as a positive turning point that will lead to better collaboration between our two countries in the field of sports,” he stated.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, echoed similar sentiments, calling the engagement “a moment of opportunity born from adversity.”
“Your humility and diplomacy are truly commendable. We appreciate the proposal for media and athlete exchange programmes, and we look forward to building a more dynamic sports partnership,” Olopade said.
The renewed commitment signals a promising future for Nigeria-China sports diplomacy, with both nations now focused on transforming the visa setback into a foundation for enduring cooperation and mutual growth.
