Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed satisfaction with the continuous increase in the volume of trade between Nigeria and China, saying it is one of the highest in Africa.

Accordingly, he called for constant improvement of relations between the two nations, maintaining that the two countries are friends that have sustained mutual respect and honour for one each other.

Senator Shettima made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja when he received a delegation from China led by Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Mr Zhang Qingwei at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Expressing satisfaction with the volume of trade between Nigeria and China, the Vice President said, “Last year in 2023, our trade relations with China got to $22.6 billion, one of the highest in Africa, if not the highest, and that trade relationship is growing by 33 percent every year.

VP Shettima stressed the need to strengthen relations between the two countries which have spanned over 50 years for the benefit of both nations.

The Vice President who expressed his admiration for China’s culture and traditions said the country is already making its mark among the committee of nations, even as he called for greater engagements between the two friendly countries.

Senator Shettima assured the delegation that Nigeria supports the One China policy.

Hey expressed optimism that Nigeria will surmount her security challenges, just as he appealed for support from China in that regard.

Earlier, leader of the delegation and Vice Chairman, Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Mr Zhang Qingwei, said the Strategic partnership between Nigeria and China is opening a new page of relationship between the two countries.

He also pointed to the need for Nigeria and China to support each other politically, adding that President Tinubu is committed to economic diversification, and China is ready to support Nigeria’s developmental expedition.

The delegation which had the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, also had Hon. Chio Bing, Vice Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress of China (NPC).

Others include Hon Wang Li-Sha, member of the Committee of Institutions, and Hon Sung Si Dung, member, Constitution and Law Committee of the NPC, who is also a member of the China-Nigeria group of the NPC.NPC