On the afternoon of February 28, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with visiting President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern and reached broad consensus on furthering China-Nigeria strategic partnership.

Hu said since the establishment of China-Nigeria diplomatic ties 37 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing continuously with fruitful exchanges and cooperation in all areas. The establishment of strategic partnership has set a new goal and direction for the development of bilateral ties in the new century. Hu said that since President Yar'Adua took office, the Nigerian government has paid high regard to relations with China, sticking to the one-China policy, and supporting China's peaceful reunification process. Hu spoke highly of the sound momentum and new progress of bilateral relations.

Yar'Adua first extended sympathy over the recent snow havoc in southern parts of China. He said China is a great sincere friend of Africa. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have achieved positive progress with effective cooperation in multilateral areas. The Nigerian government attaches great importance to and will further advance Nigeria-China strategic partnership for the benefit of both peoples. The president reaffirmed the Nigerian government's adherence to the one-China policy and support of China's peaceful reunification.

Hu said the Chinese government gives top priority to ties with Nigeria and is ready to continuously deepen strategic partnership with Nigeria based on sincere friendship, equality and mutual benefit, mutual support and common development, so as to open up a brighter future of bilateral ties and bring benefits to both countries and their peoples. Hu made a four-point proposal to strengthen bilateral relations. First, deepen the sound political relations between the two countries. Both sides should maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen bilateral political consultations, launch strategic dialogue at a proper time, exchange views and coordinate positions on major issues of mutual concern and work out plans for the development of bilateral ties. Both sides should also strengthen friendly exchanges between their government agencies, legislative bodies and political parties to push for comprehensive development of bilateral ties. Second, expand trade, economic and technological cooperation. Both sides should improve the mechanism of bilateral economic and trade mixed committee to better guide and coordinate bilateral cooperation of mutual benefits. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on economy, trade, energy resources, agriculture, infrastructure construction and high and new technology, jointly implement the already-agreed cooperation projects, and actively explore new ways to expand cooperation for mutual benefit and common development. Third, expand humanistic and people-to-people contacts. Both sides should continue to actively push for exchanges in the fields of culture, education, journalism and science and technology, carry out cultural exchange projects and exchange of visits by cultural groups, and encourage and support friendly exchanges between academic groups, talent pools, media and young people of the two countries. China is ready to help Nigeria train more urgently needed professionals. Fourth, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral areas. China and Nigeria share identical or similar views on many key international and regional issues, as well as broad common interests. China is ready to see a greater role played by Nigeria in international affairs and would like to strengthen bilateral consultations and coordination on multilateral occasions such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization(WTO) and the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation, as well as on major international affairs including climate change, handling of regional hotspot issues and formulation of international trade rules, so as to push the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction.

Yar'Adua said to further consolidate and enhance friendly mutually beneficial cooperation conforms to common interests of both sides. Nigeria is one of the most important cooperative partners of China in Africa and there is huge potential for bilateral cooperation in all areas. Nigeria was willing to promote friendly exchanges and political trust, expand cooperation with China in such fields as trade, infrastructure and energy. Nigeria welcomes Chinese businesses to participate and invest in Nigeria's electric power, transpiration, railway and other infrastructure construction and exploitation of oil and gas resources, said the Nigerian president, expressing hope that the businesses of both countries will establish cooperative partnership. Yar'Adua thanked for China's support and assistance to Nigeria's economic and social development.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended a signing ceremony of an agreement on cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. Prior to the talks, President Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for President Yar'Adua's visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman Raidi of the NPC Standing Committee, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Li Zhaozhuo, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK) Li Wuwei, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Ma Kai, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren and Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Xu Jianguo attended the welcoming ceremony.