By John Azu
The governments of Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges as part of broader bilateral relations between both countries.
The renewed commitment was made during a cultural event titled “Maritime Silk Road Impressions: Immersive Salon of Intangible Cultural Heritage from Ancient Zayton Port,” held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.
The event was jointly organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria and the China Centre of International Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion. It attracted diplomats, government officials, cultural stakeholders, artists and enthusiasts who gathered to experience various aspects of traditional Chinese heritage, including tea ceremonies, Guqin musical performances, ceramics exhibitions and incense rituals.
Speaking at the event, Minister at the Chinese Embassy, Zhou Hongyou, reflected on the historical significance of the ancient Silk Road in connecting China with Europe and Africa through trade, culture and diplomacy.
According to him, the cultural exchanges fostered through the Silk Road continue to shape contemporary relations between nations, including Nigeria and China.
“The Silk Road carried not only silk, porcelain and spices, but also the values of peaceful cooperation, openness, inclusiveness and mutual learning,” Zhou stated.
He explained that tea culture, which has existed in China for more than 5,000 years, evolved beyond social practice into a platform for cultural dialogue and international understanding.
“Tea unites the world,” Zhou said, noting that Chinese tea culture was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage in 2022.
He added that the same values of openness and mutual respect now underpin modern China-Nigeria relations, particularly within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, through which both countries have expanded cooperation in infrastructure, trade, education and cultural exchange.
Nigeria and China have steadily strengthened diplomatic and economic relations over the years, with China remaining one of Nigeria’s largest trading partners and a major investor in infrastructure projects across the country. Beyond economic ties, both nations have increasingly explored cultural diplomacy as a tool for promoting mutual understanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, commended the organisers for promoting cultural diplomacy between the two countries.
Represented by the Director of International Cultural Relations in the ministry, Envadu Yohanna Ayaka, Ibrahim said the values reflected in Chinese tea culture resonate strongly with Nigerian traditions centred on hospitality, unity and communal living.
“Tea is far more than a beverage; it is a vessel of history, a symbol of harmony and a medium of cultural exchange,” he said.
He added that the Nigerian government remains committed to supporting cultural initiatives capable of strengthening international partnerships and expanding opportunities within the country’s creative economy.
According to him, current efforts are focused on promoting tea-related festivals, cultural hubs, agro-artistry and bilateral collaborations that can enhance Nigeria’s participation in the global cultural and tourism industry.
The event formed part of ongoing cultural exchange programmes aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and China through arts, heritage preservation and tourism development.