China-Africa Institute (CAI) delegation will visit Nigeria, the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26, 2023 for academic exchange.
Members of the delegation include Professor Wang Xiaoming, vice-president of the CAI, Professor Wang Yongzhong, research fellow and director of the Division of International Commodities of Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Huang Juan, associate professor and Deputy Dean of the School of Government, University of CASS, Wang Jian, associate research fellow and director of the Library and Information Office of the CAI and Dr. Zhao Yating from the Division of International Relations Studies of CAI.
On Nov. 13, 2023 local time, the CAI delegation held a seminar themed “Prospects and Challenges of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)” at the University of Abuja.
Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, Vice-Chancellor of the academics at the University of Abuja met with members of the delegation before the seminar commenced.
Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi (the forth left) and the CAI delegation members
More than 100 students participated in the seminar. Professor Yusufu Ali Zoaka, dean of department of Political Sciences and professor Wang Xiaoming addressed the audience of the seminar. Professor Wang Yongzhong delivered a keynote speech on China-Africa joint contribution of the BRI whereas professor Huang Juan’s speech focused on government capability building.
Professor Zoaka is addressing audience of the seminar
Professor Wang Xiaoming is addressing audience of the seminar
Professor Wang Yongzhong is delivering a keynote speech
Professor Huang Juan is delivering a keynote speech
Associate professor Adeneji Samson, associate professor Haladu Agaba, associate professor Uchenna Emereokwu and Dr. Olagunju Olowu from the University of Abuja made comments. They hoped that China could send more Chinese teachers to the continent to help the Africans learning the Chinese language, and that China could continue to help developing countries including African nations in achieving common prosperity and win-win cooperation. They also expected great attention to be paid by the Chinese government to the development of different sectors in Africa so that more and more local people could benefit from it, and thus making improvement in skills training, education and governance capability for African countries.
African scholars make comments
Moreover, African students at the seminar raised questions about Africa’s debt crisis, personal training, government capability building and how Nigerian people set up businesses in China, as well as other topics. The Chinese scholars offered detailed answers to each question.
African students are asking questions at the seminar
Professor Huang Juan is answering students’ questions
Participants at the seminar
After the seminar, professor Zoaka presented book to professor Wang Xiaoming as a gift to the CAI.
Professor Zoaka is presenting book to professor Wang Xiaoming
Group photo of scholars and students
Chinese and African scholars at the seminar
African students and Dr. Zhao Yating (Middle)
On the afternoon of Nov. 13, 2023, the CAI delegation paid a visit to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and met with H.E. Cui Jianchun, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria. Ambassador Cui Jianchun briefed on the political and economic situation in Nigeria. The Embassy’s Second Secretary, Mr He Shurong also took part in the meeting.
Ambassador Cui Jianchun (Middle), Mr He Shurong (First right) and members of the CAI delegation
(Photography by Wang Jian)