A brief discussion on exchanges of experience in party governance between Nigeria and China

Charles Onunaiju

T he relationship between Nigeria and China is far-reaching and broad. Tangible results have been achieved. More than 50 years of bilateral cooperation have had a significant impact in various areas of their national progress. The Nigeria-China relationship plays a pivotal role in the region and the world and sets an example of bilateral cooperation. The two sides have been carrying out cooperation continuously， but there are still new areas to explore. Cooperation in other areas will further enhance the strategic partnership.

This year marks the centennial of the Communist Party of China. Over the past 100 years， the CPC has been a decisive force in building a modern China. Over the past 50 years， especially since the historic Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in December 1978， China has embarked on a historic stage of reform and opening-up. Not only has it established a framework for sustainable and inclusive development， but it has truly passed many milestones in leapfrog development， with unprecedented results. In particular， it has accomplished the arduous task of eradicating absolute poverty. The country， under CPC leadership， has greatly improved people’s livelihoods and boosted public confidence.

The CPC is a Marxist-Leninist party with a thoroughly proletarian worldview. In the process of leading the Chinese people in revolution， construction and reform， the Party and government have not only sought solutions to problems but also persisted in theoretical exploration and innovation. They kept on exploring the theoretical value of Marxism-Leninism in light of China’s national conditions. The CPC is able to combine the country’s reality in the specific context of each historical stage.

The policies it has produced can cope with the challenges of each era. To explore and build socialism with Chinese characteristics is not simply a political statement， but an action of active reform and practice. It has been improved in the inquiry on the laws of social development and carried out in the context of specific national conditions.

Through the process of constantly， dynamically， and realistically examining reality， the CPC has found the fundamental problems of the country in each specific historical stage by applying dialectical materialism， which in turn has produced specific policy choices needed to meet specific challenges.

The reason the reform and opening-up process has been successful is that it solves the fundamental contradictions that restricted development potential of productive forces in the past. In the past 43 years of reform and opening-up， China has not only achieved sustainable and inclusive growth but also contributed about 70 percent of global poverty reduction. The CPC has not evaded the difficulties， but rather faced them squarely. Rather than indulging in vanity to declare victory as soon as possible， the CPC has faced up to all realities with considerable shrewdness and has made great strides in improving the well-being of the Chinese people.

The CPC recognizes the commonalities of people all over the world， tolerates diversity and respects the fact that each country has its own unique national conditions and different history. It means that sharing experiences can help countries absorb nation-building experiences and draw lessons from them. Every nation or country has to deal with its own problems and seek solutions based on its own national condition and history.

If the Nigerian political parties， whether ruling or opposition， can learn from the experience of the CPC through cooperation between Nigeria and China， they will gain greater vigor and vitality. They do not have to be MarxistLeninists to learn from the CPC’s competence， efficiency and discipline.

The CPC has conducted extensive consultations with other democratic and patriotic parties under the framework of multiparty cooperation. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference is a permanent and inclusive framework for ethnic dialogue on behalf of all the Chinese people. It is cross-ethnic， cross-religious， crosscultural and cross-party. In terms of ideological and political lines， the CPC has adopted extensive participation and national consensus as its strategy for governing the country.

Whether in a competitive or consultative multiparty political process， it is critical to find and build consensus for the sake of advancing policy sustainability. Learning from the experiences of party and state governance holds bright prospects in developing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and China and expanding China-Africa relations.

The CPC has always shown its willingness to share its experience with partners around the world. For all its earth-shaking achievements， the CPC is not arrogant. It insists on constantly learning and studying， and does not allow complacency or stagnation.

The 100 years of the CPC has involved hard work， arduous struggle and perseverance. At present， Nigeria has also vowed to lift 100 million people out of poverty in the next 10 years. The CPC has created the miracle of eliminating absolute poverty. Its achievements and experience are worthy of serious attention.

（The author is director of the Centre for China Studies， Abuja.）