President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja on a working visit to Beijing, China, with a brief stopover in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to an official statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.
The statement noted that President Tinubu is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and engage with top Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and China and explore new avenues for economic cooperation.
Accompanying the President on this trip are several senior government officials, though specific names were not disclosed.
Tinubu’s visit comes at a critical time, as Nigeria faces escalating tensions with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese firm that recently secured a court ruling in France permitting the seizure of Nigerian assets.
The French court authorized the firm to seize three Nigerian presidential jets that were undergoing routine maintenance in France.
This legal development stems from a long-standing dispute involving a decades-old arbitration award connected to the Ogun State government.
The President’s trip to China amid these circumstances has sparked speculation about potential discussions related to the asset seizures and the broader implications for Nigeria-China relations. However, no official confirmation has been provided regarding whether these issues will be addressed during the visit.
The visit is part of President Tinubu’s broader diplomatic efforts to bolster Nigeria’s international partnerships and address pressing economic and political challenges facing the country. As the situation develops, the outcomes of his meetings in China will be closely monitored both in Nigeria and abroad.
The statement reads, “President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Beijing, China, on Thursday, August 29, on an official visit. President Tinubu will have a brief layover in the United Arab Emirates.
“In China, the President will meet with President Xi Jinping and will hold meetings with Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.”
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