China, Nigeria to strengthen cooperation on UN reform: Joint Communique

China and Nigeria vowed to strengthen cooperation on the reform of United Nations, according to a joint communique issued by the two countries in Beijing Friday.

The communique was issued after Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in Beijing, who is paying a four-day state visit to China as guest of Hu.

The communique says that both sides expressed their determination to continue to cooperate closely for the attainment of global security and development through a reformed United Nations.

Nigeria expressed Africa's common position on the reform of the United Nations, including the realization of two permanent seats of which Nigeria hopes to be one.

China supports expanding the representation of the vast developing countries, those in Africa included, in the UN Security Council, says the communique.

The two countries agreed to establish a China-Nigeria strategic partnership characterized by mutual political trust, economic benefit and mutual assistance in international affairs within the framework of South-South cooperation.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to carrying forward the tradition of China-Africa friendly cooperation, and the willingness to push forward the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership featuring long-term stability, equality and mutual benefit and all-round cooperation.

China supports the development of the African Union and the implementation of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), and is ready to combine the development goals of the Forumon China-Africa Cooperation with the priority areas of NEPAD, says the communique.

Obasanjo is now paying a state visit to China in the dual-capacity of Nigerian president and rotating president of the African Union.