The People’s Republic of China has thrown its weight behind Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Speaker of the People`s Parliament of China, Mr. Zhang Dejiang, expressed his country’s endorsement during a meeting with the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in New York, United States, Sunday.
According to a statement issued by Dogara’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the ongoing Convention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Dejiang called for a better representation of developing nations in the UN, adding that Nigeria, with its growing influence on the global stage deserved a seat on the UNSC.
“We support the legitimate demands of Nigeria for a permanent seat on the UN security council, together with the reform of the UN,” Dejiang said. He further pledged his country’s support for Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking earlier, Dogara had appealed for China’s support for Nigeria’s bid for the UNSC seat as calls for reform of the UN system continue
China, the US, Britain, Russia and France are the five permanent members of the UNSC, with Nigeria, Brazil, India, Egypt and South Africa jostling for seats on the council. Nigeria is currently presiding over the UNSC, till the end of Monday, August 31, with Russia taking over the presidency for September.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Dino Melaye, the ad-hoc senate spokesperson, were also on Nigeria’s delegation.
