CHINA PLEDGES MILLITARY SUPPORT TO NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT

The People’s Republic of China on Wednesday pledged to support Nigeria in its current military efforts at tackling terrorism.

President of the Chinese Parliament, Mr. Zhang Dejiang, who is also the Chairman, National People’s Congress of China, stated this when he led some members of the Chinese parliament on a courtesy call on the Senate President, David Mark, in Abuja.

Dejiang, who is leading the largest parliament in the world with over 3,000 members, said the bilateral cooperation would cover areas of training and retraining of security personnel on how to tackle terrorism and disaster response capabilities.

Under the arrangement, the Chinese added that both nations would also exchange programmes for military officers and students of Defence colleges.

He noted that China was currently running a friendly administration and upholds the sanctity of the rule of law but pledged to present the issue of the review of its criminal law for the sake of Nigerians who were undergoing prosecution in his country.

“I will table the requests of the Senate President before the Chinese government for a possible review of our criminal laws, especially on those convicted on criminal offences,” he said.

Dejiang also promised other bi-lateral cooperation with the government and people of Nigeria in various areas that would improve the nation’s economy and the general welfare of the people.

Mark had earlier asked his guest to prevail on his government for assistance to Nigeria in the mass production of military hardware for the Navy, Army, Air Force and the Police as well as having an aircraft spare parts production centre in the country.

Mark also requested support for Nigeria’s bid for the UN Security Council seat as a non- permanent member from 2015 – 2016 and as a permanent member from Africa in an expanded UN Security Council.

He pleaded with the Chinese parliament leader to facilitate a positive review of the cases of 366 Nigerians in Chinese prisons, the 120 awaiting trial and other four who had already been sentenced to death under the transfer of prisoners arrangement.

Mark equally demanded that China should reciprocate Nigeria’s friendly visa regime by honouring Diplomatic Notes and simplifying visa procedures for Nigerians.

The Senate leader noted that the trade and commercial ties between Nigeria and China had increased with a deficit of N270bn against Nigeria.

He therefore requested that the imbalance should be addressed by encouraging Chinese government and business community to increase its investments in the non-oil sector in Nigeria as well as offering duty waiver on Nigerian exports.