The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria, following a diplomatic visit to the National Sports Commission after Nigeria’s withdrawal from the recently concluded World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou.
Culture Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Yang Jian Xing, expressed regret over the visa issues that led to Nigeria’s withdrawal from the event. He emphasized China’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s sports development vision.
“What has happened can be described as an accident, and we deeply regret it,” Jian Xing stated. “We are here to assure the Sports Commission that the Chinese government holds Nigeria in high regard. We are committed to enhancing collaboration with the National Sports Commission to improve the diplomatic ties between our two countries, particularly in sports training and exchange programs.”
He added, “We will ensure that such an issue does not occur again, and we aim to establish a special channel for sports communication between China and Nigeria moving forward.”
In response, Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, welcomed the apology from the Chinese government and expressed readiness to strengthen future collaboration.
“We are pleased to receive officials from the Chinese Embassy today, and it shows the genuine disappointment of the Chinese government over the situation,” Dikko said. “This is a positive step, and we see it as a sign of better things to come in our bilateral sports relations.”
Bukola Olopade, Director General of the Commission, echoed similar sentiments, expressing a desire to turn the visa issue into an opportunity for a more robust partnership with China in sports.
“Your humility and diplomacy are unmatched, and we are grateful for how you’ve characterized the incident as an accident. We’ve all agreed to move forward from here and work towards greater achievements,” Olopade remarked. “We are excited about the prospect of exchange programs and training for our athletes and media personnel. This is a significant step forward, and we look forward to a stronger relationship between Nigeria and China.”
