In the morning of May 7, 2014, Premier Li Keqiang held talks with President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria in Abuja.
Li Keqiang said, Mr. President paid a successful visit to China last year, and President Xi Jinping had a fruitful meeting with you. As the largest economies in Asia and Africa, both China and Nigeria boast a large population. Strengthening bilateral cooperation is conducive to the well-being of the two peoples and the development and prosperity of the region and the world at large. China is willing to work with Nigeria to consolidate mutual trust, to expand cooperation, to strengthen exchanges, and to enhance the coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, so as to jointly safeguard the interests of the developing countries and to promote China-Nigeria relations to a new high.
Li Keqiang expressed, China stands ready to further expand cooperation in trade and investment with Nigeria, to facilitate trade balance, and to deepen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure construction, agriculture, energy, aviation and aerospace. The Chinese enterprises have independently developed the high-standard regional aircrafts, boasting safety and quality guarantee and high performance-to-price ratio, which very much matches the African markets. Hope it can become the first choice of the airlines of Nigeria and other African countries.
On behalf of the Nigerian government and the people, Goodluck Jonathan extended warm welcome to Li Keqiang for his visit. He said that Premier Li Keqiang paid the visit to Nigeria as scheduled despite the recent terrorist attack in the country. It has fully proved that China is a reliable friend of Nigeria sharing weal and woe. The Nigerian side is grateful to China for its long-term assistance and support to Nigeria, Africa and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Nigerian side highly appreciates the proposal of "461" Africa-China Cooperation Framework proposed by Premier Li Keqiang in his speech at the African Union (AU) headquarters, which will vigorously promote the development of Africa. Nigeria is willing to expand the bilateral cooperation in railway, aviation, light railway, trade, investment, agriculture, hydroelectricity, energy and other fields. Nigeria welcomes Chinese enterprises to expand its investment in the country and will provide them a sound investment environment.
Following the talks, the leaders of both countries witnessed together the signing of bilateral cooperative documents in the fields of economy, technology, medical and health care, infrastructure, aviation and agriculture. Both sides issued a China-Nigeria joint statement.
Prior to the talks, Goodluck Jonathan held a grand welcoming ceremony for Li Keqiang at the Presidential Palace Square. Li Keqiang and Goodluck Jonathan stepped on the reviewing stand together. The military band played Chinese national anthem twice and the salute was fired. Li Keqiang then inspected the guard of honor. Premier Li Keqiang's wife Mme. Cheng Hong and President Goodluck Jonathan's wife Patience Faka Jonathan were present at the welcoming ceremony.
Premier Li Keqiang's wife Mme. Cheng Hong, accompanied by Mrs. Patience Faka Jonathan, held a symposium with the representatives of Nigerian women the same day.