Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as both countries marked 55 years of diplomatic relations at the 2026 Happy Chinese New Year Spring Festival Temple Fair held in Abuja.

The celebration took place at the Chinese Cultural Centre, which was jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the China Association for International Cultural Exchange, and the Chinese Wushu Association, with support from the Nigeria–China Chamber of Commerce. The event attracted over 1,500 guests, including senior Nigerian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, cultural practitioners, Chinese nationals resident in Nigeria, and members of the public.

Speaking first at the event, China’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou, described the Spring Festival as a symbol of peace, harmony, and unity in Chinese culture, noting that its inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024 has further strengthened its role as a platform for cultural dialogue.

He said Nigeria–China relations have continued to deepen since diplomatic ties were established in 1971, describing the partnership as a model of South–South cooperation founded on mutual respect and shared development goals, and added that the designation of 2026 as the China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges would create new opportunities for cooperation in culture, education, and tourism.

Director-General of the Nigeria–China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe, said the bilateral relationship has evolved over five decades into a partnership delivering practical benefits to citizens of both countries. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China Principle and highlighted ongoing cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, and industrial development.

Also, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Wushu Association, Fu Bo, highlighted the growing influence of Chinese martial arts in Africa, noting that Wushu will make its debut as an official competition sport at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s role in advancing the sport across the continent.

Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, said cultural exchange has become a central pillar of Nigeria–China relations after more than five decades of engagement.

“The Temple Fair is an important platform for cultural exchange between China and Nigeria,” Yang said. “After 55 years of diplomatic relations, people-to-people engagement has become a strong pillar of our partnership.”

The Temple Fair offered an immersive cultural experience that drew sustained engagement from attendees.

Guests watched high-level Wushu performances by the Chinese Wushu Association, applauding synchronized routines and traditional martial arts displays. Joint music and dance performances by Chinese and Nigerian artists also received warm responses from the audience.

Nigerians at the event sampled a wide range of Chinese delicacies, while others took part in hands-on activities including tea ceremonies, calligraphy demonstrations, traditional Chinese medicine exhibitions, folk games, and table tennis interactions. Many visitors were seen taking photographs, asking questions at exhibition stands, and trying cultural practices for the first time.

Taekwondo bronze medalist Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije said the celebration showed how sports and culture can deepen international ties.

He said, “Sport has always been a bridge between nations, and this event shows how culture and athletics can work together to promote friendship. Nigeria–China relations go beyond diplomacy; they are about shared respect and exchange at the people’s level.”

For Hawwa Abdullahi, a journalist, the Temple Fair offered a rare opportunity to experience Chinese culture up close.

“This is my first time experiencing the Chinese New Year Temple Fair, and it has been very eye-opening. The performances, food, and atmosphere give a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and how it connects with ours,” she said.

Speakers at the event also noted the symbolic link between the horse in the Chinese lunar calendar and the horse on Nigeria’s Coat of Arms, describing it as a shared emblem of strength, perseverance, and progress.

The Temple Fair underscored the growing emphasis on cultural exchange as a key pillar of the Nigeria–China partnership, alongside cooperation in trade, infrastructure, education, and development.