Chinese Grant Visa Exemption To Nigerian Diplomats, Senior Officials

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 11, (THEWILL) - Nigerian diplomats and senior government officials have been granted visa exemption by the government of China.

The new regime will be implemented from February 01, 2014.

The decision of the Chinese government was made public in Lagos by the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.

Deng Boqing, at a Nigeria-China Business Roundtable and Luncheon hosted by the Professor Bola Akinterinwa led Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).

The Ambassador said the Chinese government's decision followed the agreement made between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.

Deng said both governments will in the future work towards simplifying visas for citizens.

'China is prepared to promote people-to-people interaction between the two countries.

We have decided to offer visa exemption for Nigerian diplomats and senior government officials in the first phase,' he said.

The trade between Nigeria and China runs into billions of naira.

The outgoing Ambassador said trade grew by about 25 percent in the last three years.