On the noon of January 8, 2010, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi arrived in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, to start his one-day visit to the country at the invitation of Ojo Maduekwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria.

At Abuja International Airport, Yang delivered a written speech. Yang Jiechi said: "I am delighted to pay a visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the beginning of the new year. I wish to take this opportunity to convey to the friendly Nigerian people the sincere greetings and good wishes of the Chinese people."

Yang said over the 39 years since China and Nigeria established diplomatic ties, bilateral relationship has seen sound and steady growth. In recent years, China-Nigeria strategic partnership has continued to deepen under the personal care and great promotion of the leaders of the two countries. The two countries have enjoyed growing political mutual trust, productive cooperation in economic, trade and other fields as well as mutual support and close collaboration in international affairs, he said. With the first ever bilateral strategic dialogue held last year, the two countries further substantiated the strategic partnership. China-Nigeria relationship is showing a sound momentum of all-round and fast growth.

Yang said both China and Nigeria are major developing countries. Further consolidating and deepening China-Nigeria relationship not only serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples, but also contribute to peace and development in the region and beyond.

According to the schedule, Yang will hold working talks with his counterpart Ojo Maduekwe and meet with Nigerian leaders, exchanging views with them on bilateral relationship as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

Chinese ambassador to Nigeria Xu Jianguo and Nigerian government officials were at the airport to greet the Chinese minister and his delegation.