Exhibition
Xinhua News Agency on Friday used a photo exhibition in Abuja to promote China’s position on Taiwan’s reunification and its historical account of the island’s restoration to China in 1945.
Mr Gui Tao, Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua’s Africa Regional Bureau, said this at the opening of the exhibition marking the 81st anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China.
Gui said the exhibition was also being held in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mozambique to highlight the historical background and significance of Taiwan’s restoration.
“Through these images, we hope our African friends will gain a more vivid understanding of the historical background, the historical facts, and the historical significance of Taiwan’s restoration,” he said.
He said the exhibition also sought to strengthen China-Africa relations through shared historical experiences and people-to-people exchanges.
“The African people, including the people of Nigeria, endured the sufferings brought by colonialism, just as China did, and went through the same historic process of striving for national independence, state sovereignty, and national peace,” Gui said.
He said Taiwan was part of China and that China remained committed to peaceful reunification while opposing separatist activities.
“Only by knowing each other’s history can we better understand each other’s present. Only by respecting each other’s memory can we better move toward a shared future,” he said.
Mr Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, said the exhibition reflected the Chinese government’s position on Taiwan and the importance it attached to historical memory.
He cited the joint statement establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership between Nigeria and China, saying it affirmed Nigeria’s adherence to the one-China principle, under which Beijing is recognised as the sole government of China.
Yang said 2026 marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adding that both were working to deepen cooperation in economic development, security and cultural exchanges.
“We remain full of confidence and high expectations for the bright prospects of mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation between China and Nigeria,” he said.
He also cited China’s zero-tariff policy for the 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, describing it as an opportunity to expand trade and economic cooperation.
Dr Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies in Nigeria, said Taiwan’s history had parallels with the colonial experience of African territories, including Lagos.
“The issue we are talking about today might seem distant, but it has a lot of considerable parallels with us here in Africa, with us in Nigeria,” Onunaiju said.
He recalled that Lagos came under British control in 1861, while Taiwan was ceded to Japan under the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki.
Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim of the University of Abuja cited the 1943 Cairo Declaration, the 1945 Potsdam Declaration, and Japan’s surrender as historical developments relevant to China’s position on Taiwan.
He said Nigeria had consistently reaffirmed the one-China principle in its diplomatic relations.
Hu Jieguo, President of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in West Africa and Nigeria, called for closer China-Nigeria cooperation.
“China and Africa, we have the same history,” Hu said, urging both sides to work together for a better future.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exhibition is part of activities organised to mark the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which promotes cultural engagement and mutual understanding between China and African countries.(NAN)
