On May 30, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (R) met in Abuja with Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy and Minister of Railways Sheng Guangzu, who was here to attend Jonathan's presidential inauguration 

On May 30, 2011, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy and Minister of Railways Sheng Guangzu, who was here to attend Jonathan's presidential inauguration.

Jonathan thanked Sheng for attending his presidential inauguration ceremony as President Hu’s special envoy. He said China is a great friend of Nigeria and that he is satisfied with the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria is now witnessing a new period of development, he said, adding that he expects more Chinese enterprises to take part in railway and other infrastructural construction in Nigeria and offer assistance for Nigeria’s economic development. Jonathan said Nigeria hopes to continue getting China's support in the United Nations and other international affairs.

Sheng conveyed the Chinese president's congratulations to Jonathan. He said, in the past four decades since China and Nigeria forged diplomatic ties, especially since 2005 when the two countries established strategic partnership, the two sides have enhanced mutual political trust. He said on major international issues, the two countries kept close communication and coordination and that they conducted effective cooperation in various areas. The Chinese government is ready to further enhance high-level exchange with Nigeria and deepen the cooperation in bilateral and international issues, the envoy said. China will encourage Chinese enterprises to take part in and support Nigeria's economic construction so as to promote the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Sheng added.

The Chinese special envoy attended Jonathan's presidential inauguration on May 29.

(From www.news.cn)