Mid-year review of China’s major-country diplomacy: maintaining self-confidence, self-reliance, demonstrating sense of duty as responsible major country

By He Yin, People’s Daily

Great transformation is accelerating across the world. Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation.

Yet the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amid twists and turns will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change.

Since this year, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China has followed the principles of self-confidence and self-reliance, openness and inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation in its pursuit of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind, China has demonstrated its sense of duty as a responsible major country. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary at invitation from May 5 to 10, which have consolidated China’s relations with the three European countries and relaunched China-EU cooperation. 

On May 30, Xi attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and delivered a keynote speech, in which he proposed that China is ready to work with the Arab side to put in place “five cooperation frameworks” to step up the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future.

On June 28, Xi attended and delivered an important speech at the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, stressing the importance of carrying forward these principles and jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.

From July 2 to 6, Xi attended the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana and paid state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan at invitation, charting the course for the development of the SCO, deepening China’s good-neighborly relations with regional countries, and promoting the substantial advancement of building a community with a shared future among neighboring countries.

Xi also met and held talks with dozens of foreign leaders visiting China, renewing friendships and discussing cooperation.

China’s splendid head-of-state diplomacy and its substantial results are writing new chapters of China’s interactions with the world.

China has always been committed to independence and self-reliance. It develops the country and nation with its own strength and maintains a firm grasp on the future of its development and progress. China stays committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, and stays true to the belief that peace and development represent an irresistible trend of the times.

In pursuing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era, China firmly safeguards its sovereignty, security and development interests with a firm will to create a more favorable international environment and provide more solid strategic support for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization.

China firmly assumes its responsibilities on major issues concerning the unity, cooperation and legitimate rights of developing countries and major issues concerning the future of mankind and the direction of world development.

Maintaining self-confidence and self-reliance, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is always committed to upholding peace and stability.

Xi has engaged in in-depth exchanges of views with leaders of various countries on international and regional hotspot issues, including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He explained China’s position on the Ukraine crisis from a historical perspective and strategic viewpoint, and also provided an overarching summary of the consensus and shared interests between China and Europe. 

He said China and the EU should jointly oppose spillover and escalation of the fighting, create conditions for peace talks, safeguard international energy and food security, and keep industrial and supply chains stable.

On the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Xi stressed that the pressing task is to realize a comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible, that the key priority is to ensure humanitarian assistance, and that the fundamental way out is to implement the two-State solution.

Under China’s mediation, senior representatives from 14 Palestinian factions held reconciliation talks in Beijing and signed the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity.

China always stands on the right side of history, stands with peace and justice and holds the international moral high ground. It has received wide recognition and high appraisal from the international community, becoming an indispensable force in promoting world peace and stability.

Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is always committed to promoting common development. 

China is endeavoring to build itself into a stronger country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization. The immutable goal of Chinese modernization is to deliver a better life to the whole of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. For the world, this means a broader market and unprecedented cooperation opportunities. It will also instill strong impetus in the global modernization endeavor.

Xi has repeatedly expounded on the global significance of Chinese modernization on both bilateral and multilateral occasions, clearly demonstrating China’s commitment to peaceful development, open development, cooperative development, and win-win development.

He said China will continue to advance high-quality development and Chinese modernization, enable the Chinese people to live a better life, and contribute more to sustainable development in the world. 

He noted that China will further comprehensively deepen reform and promote high-quality development and high-level opening up, which will provide new impetus and new opportunities for global economic development.

Looking to the future, China will provide new and greater opportunities for world development by advancing Chinese modernization on all fronts through the new achievements.

Naira Falls to N1,600/$ in Parallel Market, While Appreciating in Official Market

The Naira experienced a depreciation in the parallel market yesterday, dropping to N1,600 per dollar from N1,590 per dollar over the weekend. However, in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the Naira appreciated slightly, reaching N1,579.22 per dollar from N1,579.89 per dollar last Friday, showing a 67 kobo gain.

According to data from FMDQ, the volume of dollars traded in the market increased by 41.4%, rising to $162.99 million from $115.23 million over the weekend. As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NAFEM exchange rates widened to N20.78 per dollar from N10.11 per dollar last Friday.

Ewu Kingdom President General and Okuama Leaders Arrested by Men in Military Uniform

UGHELLI—Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, the wanted President General of Ewu Kingdom, was arrested by men in military uniform at an undisclosed location in Sapele on Sunday night. His current whereabouts remain unknown.

Additionally, two other leaders from Okuama, Chief Belvis Adogbo and Dennis Akugbaye, were reportedly apprehended by armed men in plain clothes on Monday morning at different locations in Ughelli.

A source from Okuama, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested that these arrests might be linked to a March incident that resulted in the deaths of 17 military personnel. The source speculated that officials from the Department of State Services (DSS) might be responsible for the detentions, although no official confirmation has been provided.

The arrests come at a time when peace was slowly returning to the Okuama community, with the Delta State government working on plans to resettle displaced residents. The community was devastated in March 2024 when Nigerian Army soldiers razed it in a retaliatory attack following the killing of 17 soldiers by gunmen near the area. The attack left the community in ruins, with every building, including hospitals and schools, reduced to rubble.

So far, security agencies have not issued any official statements regarding the arrests, and a senior police officer indicated that they were unaware of the developments.

House of Reps Minority Caucus Decries Rising Insecurity, Urges Immediate Action on Kidnappings

The minority caucus in the House of Representatives has voiced deep concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, highlighting the alarming rise in kidnappings and killings that have instilled widespread fear among citizens.

In a statement released on Monday, Kingsley Chinda, the caucus leader, strongly condemned the recent abductions of travelers, including the kidnapping of 29 medical students in Benue who were en route to a conference. The lawmakers warned that such incidents pose a serious threat to the future of education and healthcare in the country.

The caucus also criticized the abduction of traditional leaders, such as the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa district in Sokoto and his son, and the murder of the Gara of Chanchanji and his son in Taraba state. They described these events as indicative of a complete breakdown of security in the nation.

In response, the lawmakers called on security agencies to revise their strategies, act swiftly to rescue those kidnapped, and ensure that the criminals responsible are brought to justice. They urged the government to prioritize the safety of all Nigerians by enhancing intelligence gathering, improving coordination among security agencies, and implementing community-based security measures.

Additionally, the caucus urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action in safeguarding lives and properties by declaring a state of emergency in the security sector. The statement emphasized that the 29 abducted medical students, who are committed to advancing education and healthcare in Nigeria, must not be abandoned to suffer at the hands of criminals.

NNPCL Announces N3.3 Trillion Profit for 2023, Distributes N2.1 Trillion in Dividends to Shareholders

On August 20, 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) declared a net profit of N3.297 trillion for 2023, a significant increase from the previous year’s profit. The company also announced that N2.1 trillion would be distributed as dividends to its shareholders, marking a 28% increase compared to the 2022 dividends.

NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, emphasized the company’s commitment to transparency and operational resilience, attributing the success to strategic foresight and adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The company also provided updates on the Port Harcourt Refinery, with its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) now operational. NNPCL continues to work on addressing current distribution challenges affecting petrol supply, particularly due to adverse weather conditions and infrastructure issues.

NNPCL’s impressive financial turnaround, from a loss of N803 billion in 2018 to a record profit in 2023, highlights its ongoing commitment to profitability and national energy security.

Oyo APC Chairman, Isaac Omodewu, Passes Away in the United States

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Isaac Omodewu, has passed away in the United States of America. Omodewu, who traveled to the U.S. in November 2023 for medical treatment, succumbed to an undisclosed illness after nearly a year of receiving care. He was also a U.S. citizen.

The news was confirmed by the Oyo APC’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, who stated simply, “Our chairman is dead.”

Further details are expected to follow.

Tech Tycoon Mike Lynch Missing After Yacht Sinks in Sicilian Storm

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is among six people unaccounted for following the sinking of his 56-meter luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily. The vessel, anchored near Palermo, was struck by a sudden storm early Monday morning.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and 14 others were rescued, but Lynch and his daughter, Hannah, remain missing. Sicily’s Civil Protection Agency has confirmed the search efforts, which discovered one body trapped inside the sunken yacht.

Witnesses reported the yacht was hit by a waterspout, causing it to sink rapidly. Survivors, including a British woman who nearly lost her child, described the chaos and subsequent rescue. The yacht, named Bayesian, was flying a British flag and had 22 people onboard, including 10 crew members.

Rescue operations continue as Italian authorities investigate the incident, with the yacht’s management company, Camper & Nicholsons, aiding in the search.

Bandits Attack Katsina Communities, Kill Governor’s Aide and His Wife

In a devastating raid on Katsina State, Salisu Ango, the liaison officer for Governor Umar Dikko Radda, and his first wife were killed by bandits. The attack occurred around 10:00 p.m. in the Gyaza community, with Ango’s second wife still missing.

The assailants also targeted the Shirgi Community in Batsari Local Government Area, abducting 28 individuals and causing injuries and fatalities, including the death of Amadu Suru, who was shot while protecting his livestock. The bandits stole domestic animals and other valuables during their raids.

Police have confirmed the attacks in Kankia communities but have not yet issued a detailed statement.

Tinubu Unveils New Presidential Jet, Cost Remains Undisclosed

On Monday, the administration of President Bola Tinubu unveiled Nigeria’s new presidential jet, an Airbus A330. The aircraft, which replaces the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, was revealed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

While Onanuga showcased the jet’s pictures, he did not disclose the purchase cost. He highlighted that the new aircraft would save Nigeria significant maintenance and fuel costs, amounting to millions of dollars annually.

The decision to replace the older jet followed a parliamentary investigation that raised concerns about its safety and cost efficiency after it malfunctioned during a trip to Saudi Arabia. The Nigerian Senate’s security and intelligence committee recommended the replacement to reduce operational expenses.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has departed for France on the newly acquired Airbus A330, leaving Abuja at 04:08 PM on Monday, August 19.

Pictures below:

Tinubu Removes Jalal Arabi, Appoints Professor Abdullahi Usman as New NAHCON Chairman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Jalal Arabi from his position as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and has appointed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as his replacement. The decision comes as Arabi faces corruption charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, announced the change on Monday. Professor Usman, an accomplished academic with credentials from the University of Madinah and Peshawar University in Pakistan, brings extensive experience in Hajj operations, having previously chaired the Kano State Pilgrims Board.

The appointment of Professor Usman is pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. President Tinubu has called on the new NAHCON Chairman to perform his duties with integrity and transparency.