By Stella Odueme
The Chinese government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening governance, fighting corruption and sustaining economic development through reforms within the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said the party's commitment to self-revolution and strict internal discipline remained central to China's drive towards national modernisation and rejuvenation.
Dunhai stated this in an article following the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, which recently concluded in Beijing.
He said the meeting adopted a resolution outlining major measures for strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance, describing the decision as an important political guarantee for advancing Chinese modernisation.
According to the envoy, China's development experience has demonstrated that effective national governance requires a disciplined ruling party capable of identifying its weaknesses, correcting mistakes and continuously improving its institutions.
He recalled that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the party had intensified its anti-corruption campaign and strengthened mechanisms for internal accountability.
Dunhai said these efforts had contributed to China's economic growth and long-term social stability, while enabling the country to mobilise its population towards common development objectives.
Highlighting China's economic achievements, he noted that the country had established the world's largest and most comprehensive industrial system, maintained its position as the leading manufacturing economy and developed a middle-income population exceeding 400 million people.
He also cited China's achievement in eliminating absolute poverty and lifting hundreds of millions of rural residents out of poverty as evidence of the relationship between effective governance and development.
The ambassador maintained that China's economic progress also had significant implications for the global economy, noting that the country contributed about 30 per cent of global economic growth for several consecutive years.
He said the resolutions adopted at the plenary session would further strengthen China's development outlook, expand its high-level opening-up and create opportunities for international partners.
On global governance, Dunhai observed that developing countries were increasingly seeking independent development models that reflected their respective national conditions.
He stressed that China respected the sovereignty of other countries and would neither impose its development model nor attach political conditions to its cooperation with them.
Rather, he said Beijing remained committed to sharing governance experiences through equal exchanges with governments, political parties and organisations across the world.
He identified the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative as important platforms through which China was contributing to solutions to global challenges.
On relations with Africa, the envoy described the continent as a strategic partner in China's modernisation process and an important force in the Global South.
He said the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) continued to provide an effective platform for strengthening economic, political and development cooperation between both sides.
Dunhai recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the Ten Partnership Actions at the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, providing a framework for expanding cooperation across several sectors.
He further disclosed that China introduced zero-tariff treatment for all African countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing from May 1, 2026, to facilitate African exports, promote industrial development and strengthen trade relations.
According to him, the Communist Party of China was also expanding exchanges with African political parties on governance and public administration.
Focusing on Nigeria, the ambassador described the country as Africa's most populous nation and a major contributor to the continent's development prospects.
He said his diplomatic engagement in Nigeria over the past two years had given him insight into the country's aspirations for good governance, stability and a development model suited to its national realities.
He noted that Nigeria's pursuit of strategic autonomy, economic reforms, foreign investment, international trade and technological innovation reflected its determination to strengthen its capacity for independent development.
Dunhai said relations between Nigeria and China had continued to deepen under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with their comprehensive strategic partnership entering a new phase of high-quality development.
He added that both countries were expanding governance exchanges, aligning development priorities and strengthening practical cooperation in different sectors to improve the welfare of their citizens.
The Chinese envoy reaffirmed Beijing's determination to sustain its modernisation programme, strengthen governance, promote high-quality development and expand international engagement.
He expressed optimism about further cooperation with Nigeria and other Global South countries, emphasising equality, mutual respect, shared learning and mutually beneficial partnerships.