The People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. Bilateral relations have ever since achieved a smooth and steady development.

Chinese leaders who visited Nigeria are as follows: Vice Premier Geng Biao (October 1978), Vice Premier Huang Hua (November 1981), Vice Premier Tian Jiyun (November 1984), Vice Premier Wu Xueqian (March 1990), Vice Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (January 1995), State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Luo Gan (September 1996), Premier Li Peng (May 1997), Special Envoy of President Jiang Zeming, State Councilor Ismail Amat (May 1999), and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan (Jan. 2000), and President Jiang Zemin (April 2002).

Leaders of Nigeria who visited China are as follows: Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (September 1974), Vice-President Dr. Alex I. Ekwueme (March 1983), Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (September 1984), Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Sani Abacha (October 1989), Chief of the Defense Staff, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (July 1997), President Olusegun Obasanjo (April 1999 and August 2001), President of Senate Anyim (December 2001), Vice President Abubakar (July 2002), and Deputy Speaker Nwuche of the National Assembly (July 2002).

2. Trade Relations and Economic and Technical Cooperation

Chinaand Nigeriahave signed a number of agreements on trade, economic and technical cooperation, scientific and technological cooperation, as well as an agreement on investment protection. The two countries set up a joint economic and trade commission. The trade volume between the two countries in 2002 reached US$ 1.168 billion, of which China's exports were US$1.047 billion, and imports US$121 million. China's main exports to Nigeriaare light industrial, and mechanical and electrical products. China's mainly import from Nigeriapetroleum, timber, and cotton, etc.

Up to now, China has set up more than 30 solely funded companies or joint ventures in Nigeria. The main projects contracted or undertaken in the form of labor service by Chinese companies in Nigeriaare the rehabilitation of Nigerian railway, the sportsmen hostel with the Abuja Sports Complex. Chinese main companies which have undertaken projects are China Geological Engineering Company, China Harbor Engineering Company(Group) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

3. Cooperation in Cultural, Educational, and Military fields

China and Nigeria have signed an agreement on cultural cooperation and a protocol on cooperation between institutions of higher learning of the two countries. China has begun to provide scholarships for Nigerian students for their study in China in 1993. From 2002 to 2003, there are 24 Nigerian students studying in China.

The military exchanges between Chinaand Nigeria started in the 1980's. The Nigerian Defense Academy has sent a number of delegations to China. In May 1998, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral O. Miko Agigebi visited China. In November of the same year, Lieutenant General Liang Guanglie, Commander of Shenyang Military Area Command, led a military delegation to visit Nigeria. In June 2001, the Chinese military delegation headed by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the PLA, General Wu Quanxu visited Nigeria. In September, General Ci Haotian, Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Defense Minister, visited Nigeria. In July 2001, Nigerian Minister of the State Defense Ministry Adelaja visited China. In November 2002, Nigerian Air Commander of the State Defense Ministry D. Phikai visited China to attend the International Aviation Exhibition held in Zhuhai, in South China's Guangdong Province.

4. Major Agreements and Documents

In February 1971, the Governments of China and Nigeriasigned the Joint Communiqu¨¦ on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of Chinaand the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In August 2001, the two countries signed the Agreement on Trade between the Government of the People's Republic of Chinaand the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Investment Promotion and Protection.

In April 2002, the two governments signed the Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of Chinaand the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.

In July 2002, the two governments signed the Agreement on Consular Affairs, the Agreement on Cooperation on Strengthening Management of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Diversion of Precursor Chemical, and the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation.