Nigeria and China have strengthened their cultural and media cooperation with the launch of the China-Nigeria Bridge radio programme and the Voice of Nigeria’s (VON) Mandarin Service, initiatives designed to promote mutual understanding, language learning and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Speaking at the launch, Director, China Cultural CentreinN igeria, Yang Jianxing, described the China-Nigeria Bridge programme as more than a language-learning platform, saying it serves as a bridge connecting the peoples of China, Nigeria and the broader African continent through cultural exchange and dialogue.
The Director who doubled as Counselor noted that the initiative aligns with key milestones in China-Africa relations, including the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria.
According to him, ten episodes of the programme have already been broadcast, attracting positive attention from audiences across Africa and demonstrating growing interest in deeper cultural engagement between both countries.
Yang commended VON for partnering with the Chinese Embassy to implement the programme, describing the collaboration as a reflection of expanding media and cultural cooperation.
He also highlighted recent gains in China-Africa economic relations, including zero-tariff treatment for eligible African exports and increasing trade volumes between China and Nigeria, saying the figures underscore the practical benefits of growing bilateral cooperation.
The Counselor identified trade facilitation, governance cooperation, peaceful conflict resolution and mining-sector development as key areas expected to shape future China-Africa and China-Nigeria engagement.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to mutual respect, shared development and stronger people-to-people ties while encouraging young people to play a greater role in cultural and educational exchanges.
The launch also featured the inauguration of VON’s Mandarin Service, a move aimed at expanding Nigeria’s international reach and strengthening communication with Mandarin-speaking audiences.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of VON, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, described the service as a strategic platform for telling Nigeria’s story to wider global audiences in additional languages.
He said the new service represents more than the addition of another language channel, describing it as a bridge that will foster friendship, cultural understanding and cooperation between Nigeria and China.
Ndace traced the development of the initiative to engagements held during the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing and subsequent partnerships that enhanced collaboration between VON and Chinese institutions.
He highlighted achievements already recorded under the partnership, including the training of 26 Nigerian journalists in Beijing, a content-sharing agreement with Xinhua News Agency, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Embassy and the launch of the Nigeria-China Bridge Mandarin teaching programme.
According to him, the Mandarin Service will help project Nigeria’s image globally, strengthen cultural understanding, support the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and promote credible information sharing.
Ndace said the initiative aligns with the growing strategic partnership between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Xi Jinping and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to media diplomacy and international engagement.
He also urged Nigerian youths to embrace Mandarin language learning and acquire skills that would enable them to take advantage of emerging opportunities in cross-cultural communication and global cooperation.
Declaring the service open, the VON Director-General expressed confidence that the initiative would further strengthen understanding between both countries while extending Nigeria’s voice to Mandarin-speaking audiences around the world.
