Nigerian president to visit China

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will lead a delegation of high-powered officials to China for a five-day state visit starting Monday, according to a statement released by the presidency Wednesday. The statement, signed by Reuben Abati, spokesperson of the Nigerian leader, said the delegation will include governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly, as well as representatives of the private sector. During his stay in China, Jonathan will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang separately. Talks between Jonathan and the Chinese leaders will focus on greater bilateral cooperation in the development of public infrastructure, oil and gas, power supply, agriculture, communications and tourism. It is expected that a host of new bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding will be concluded and signed through the visit, according to the statement. In accordance with a schedule, the Nigerian president will also participate in a special session of the Nigeria/China Investment Forum with attendance by prominent Chinese investors and their Nigerian counterparts. "Jonathan and his delegation will also hold separate meetings with the chairmen and chief executive officers of leading Chinese conglomerates such as Huawei, SINOPEC and ZTE. "His engagements in Beijing will include inauguration of the new Nigerian Embassy building and laying the foundation stone for the residence of Nigeria's Ambassador to China," it added. It is expected that the Nigerian president will meet with members of the Nigerian community in China. The president and his delegation will also travel to Daqing in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, where they will confer with leaders of the provincial government and inspect the Daqing Petrochemical Industry and Agricultural Demonstration Farm. Exchange and cooperation between Nigeria and China have been in smooth water since the two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1971.