China and Nigeria

China and Nigeria: Seeking Partnership and a Symbiotic Relationship

Dr. Lawal M. Marafa

China and Nigeria have seen their relationships grown from exploratory trips of the 1970s, to political errands and now to seeking to boost economic and investment potentials, at least this is what everyone does as they set foot on China mainland. The fact is China has successfully transformed itself from a developing nation to the worlds largest “factory”. The phenomenal rise as a global economic giant as well as political stability is a recipe for emulation by Africans and indeed Nigeria.

Looking at China and Nigeria, there are commonalities and parallels can be drawn. By size, Nigeria is about 10% of China; by population, it is about 10%; by regional relevance they share status symbols, internally, they are both endowed with abundant natural resources, etc. Furthermore, they have similarities and differences in historical legacy, historical development, pluralistic culture and so on. Like China, Nigeria is composed of numerous ethnic and religious groups and both have existed for thousands of years. While both countries have the largest population on their respective continents and vast natural resources, both have relatively low per-capita income with China working earnestly towards normalizing this anomaly.

But that is where it stops. China has gained stability and respect over the years. It has developed socialism with Chinese characteristics which is paying dividends. In terms of development, whether you look at it from GDP, GNP or Human Development Index, there is progress to show in all spheres. Today, it can be argued that it is only China that is on the verge of achieving the MDGs by 2015. The MDGs (Millennium Development Goals are measurable and time-bound development indicators agreed upon at the millennium declaration of the UN in 2001). As president Obasanjo and the delegation descend on Chinese soil, the question on their minds should be how is it done (right), what have we done (wrong), or where do we start (and continue)? etc. One thing we can learn from China is discipline of purpose, purposive planning, upholding of performance pledge and deliverability etc.

This is the second time that President Obasanjo and entourage are arriving in Beijing in his second coming and indeed the third time if you still remember that he was here on a goodwill trip in his capacity as president elect in 1999. We still remember fondly, as he breezed into Hong Kong with pomp and all the razzle of a new leader eager to step in and set the pace. Although China is looking beyond Nigeria and into Africa, the theme here can be articulated and translated into the context of bilateralism. The outcome of this trip should be able to set a long-term agenda beneficial to both countries and particularly to Nigeria. For the benefit of a recap, the two governments established diplomatic relationships in February 1971 leading to a high level visit by General Yakubu Gowon in 1974. Over the years, China and Nigeria have signed a number of agreements on trade, economic and technical cooperation, scientific and technological cooperation, and very recently on investment, consular affairs, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and tourism cooperation. Historically, the first economic and trade cooperation was signed in 1980s. But what are the dividends? Yes, the railway revitalization project, part of the games village in Abuja, some boreholes, and now agricultural experts. We expect and deserve more to come. Following from these, the two countries set up a joint economic and trade commission. According to sources, trade volume between the two countries reached US$1.86 billion in 2003, representing a 59% growth. At the moment however, it is easy to guess to which side of the pendulum that the deficit tilts. By 2004, China’s trade with Nigeria has gone marginally above $2 billion; a little over 10% of China’s total trade with Africa.

Although to most people, political, diplomatic and bilateral relationships seem to be pronounced by high level visits, governments and decision makers often fall short of reaping the benefits of such jamborees especially where they involve august visitors and their coteries. The benefits of such visits should be able to trickle down to the populace. In the first visit of a Chinese leader to Nigeria on the invitation of President Obasanjo, President Jiang Zemin in April 2002 expressed the need for furtherance of bilateral relations and need to work on common ground on both regional and international issues. The two leaders in a communiqué promised to continue the relationship that should reflect a) sincere friendship and mutual trust; b) mutual benefit and common development; c) enhanced consultation and mutual support; and d) commitment to a long-term perspective and future-oriented relationship. To most people, this sounds like tongue twister but by wise interpretation by diplomatic and bilateral scholars, the substance in it can be unraveled. These indeed are subject to interpretation and I am not deemed capable of such interpretation. But for all I know, this diplomatic jargon carries along a lot of goodwill that technocrats and policy makers can use to the advantage of both parties. Nigerian leaders in one forum or the other have indicated the willingness of the country to “learn from China's experience in economic development” and pledged to help more Chinese investors seek business opportunities in the West African country, a thesis eloquently delivered by Honourable Ezeife in 2000. But can this not be vice versa? Can we not also commit same promise to our emerging entrepreneurs?

It is no secret that China seek to pursue investment drive in Africa. As China attempts to diversify its investment potential and court new markets, high level visits to Africa have become common place. In the short term of President Hu Jintao’s leadership, he has visited Africa twice and together with Premier Wen Jiabao’s visits have transcended not less than 20 countries. At the China-Africa trade summit in Addis Ababa in 2003, both leaders of China and Africa agreed that there is vast potential for growth in trade between China and Africa. In addition, there is scope to build stronger political and economic ties in a world that is becoming increasingly unipolar and globalizing rapidly to the detriment of poor countries, a large number of who are in Africa. At the meeting in Ethiopia, Premier Wen Jiabao lamented on the growing north-south economic divide and cautioned that if it continues, it will be a bottleneck to world peace and development. To this end, he announced the debt exemption commitments and cancelled 31 African countries’ debts to a standing ovation from participants.

No doubt that the rise of China in the last two decades has been phenomenal. One only need to look at comparative statistics and the figures will speak for themselves. This transformation began in the late 1970s after the open door policy orchestrated by the then leader, Deng Xiaoping. Before then, China was relatively impoverished and economically disadvantaged. Now, China is economically strong and has emerged as a power that must be reckoned with in global economic as well as political decision making. As the Nigerians embark on yet another diplomatic jamboree under the tutelage of President Obasanjo, they will need to approach situations with articulated seriousness and discuss issues that could be measurable and benchmarked so that performance and outcomes can be appreciated either at intervals or within mutually agreed time frame. At least this is the type of game that China plays very well on bilateral and international scenes, especially where it involves investment discussions.

China is known to have taken up projects that can be executed and yield benefits to all and sundry. Although they are faced with a huge population and huge landmass that defies imagination and in some parts are inaccessible, projects and targets are mostly met when set. As virtually the whole world has adopted the MDGs and they are seen to be workable, economic, trade, investment and aid should be in such a way that they will reflect local needs and be people oriented. In addition, the delegation should work on and argue for joint ventures in local economies. The advantages of such ventures are numerous covering security, jobs that will translate into local capacity building, technology transfer, quality of life, etc.

Despite the lack of equanimity in economic might, the Nigerian delegation can show some modicum of astuteness and be forthcoming in bilateral negotiations. These when well articulated can reap dividends that will otherwise be overlooked in the gallery of diplomatic concert that will certainly involve concessions from the two parties. While it is clear that China is now in the vanguard of tapping investment opportunities in Africa, Nigeria as a leading country in the continent should go into bilateral relationships with clear interests that will be able to be measured by the extent of deliverability. As the framework for China Africa Co-operation has seemingly been crafted and is being put in place, there is sufficient political will and indeed economic interest for such cooperation to materialize into mutual benefits. For example, China has shelved debts owed by 31 countries. If Nigeria does not fall into that category, then tailor-made concessions that will be pleasant to the two parties could be sought. As delegates go into negotiations, it should be borne in mind that President Obasanjo is not only the Chairman of AU, but one of the pillars of NEPAD (New Economic Partnership for African Development). Negotiations should be based on this framework to give way for further referencing and applicability in subsequent dialogues.

Finally, as you go in and out of dialectic diplomatic discussions, the public will be waiting to see what has been achieved and will be eager to see how such deliverables can be translated into projects, jobs, quality of life and ultimately a better society that Nigerians have been promised since the advent of the democratic government. As communiqués will be read, people and indeed Nigerians will like to see beyond the grandiloquent language that often accompanies such meetings. To achieve these goals, effective diplomacy will be crucial to ensure the balance of political, economic and strategic interests of which China will not mince efforts.

Dr. Lawal M. Marafa Teaches at The Chinese University of Hong Kong