By Editor
China has stepped up efforts to rally African understanding of its position on Taiwan, using an exhibition in Abuja to draw parallels between Beijing’s reunification agenda and the continent’s historical struggles against colonialism and foreign domination.The exhibition, organised by Xinhua News Agency’s Africa Regional Bureau in partnership with other organisations, brought together diplomats, researchers, business leaders and media practitioners on Friday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China after Japan’s defeat in the Second World War.
Held under the theme, “Remembering Taiwan’s Restoration, Advancing National Reunification,” the exhibition featured more than 30 photographs across four thematic sections documenting historical events surrounding Taiwan’s return to Chinese control in 1945.
Beyond the historical displays, the event provided a platform for Chinese representatives and Nigerian scholars to advance Beijing’s position on national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the eventual reunification of China and Taiwan.
Gui Tao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency’s Africa Regional Bureau, said the exhibition was part of a series of commemorative activities taking place in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Mozambique.
He said the initiative was designed to deepen African understanding of China’s historical experience, adding that the continent’s encounters with colonialism and struggles for independence provided a basis for appreciating Beijing’s position on national unity.
Gui said the historical experiences of China and African countries underscored the importance of sovereignty, national dignity and respect for historical facts.
He maintained that understanding each other’s history was essential to strengthening relations between China and African countries, particularly through cultural engagement and people-to-people exchanges.
Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, described Taiwan’s restoration as an important outcome of China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
He said the photographs and accompanying historical records illustrated China’s determination to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that the commemoration offered an opportunity to reflect on the historical significance of Taiwan’s restoration and Beijing’s commitment to national reunification.
Hu Jieguo, Secretary-General of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification in Western Africa, also linked the anniversary to the sacrifices made by millions of Chinese during the war against foreign aggression.
Hu said the historical experiences of China and Nigeria offered common ground for discussions about sovereignty and national unity, noting that both countries had experienced the consequences of foreign domination.
The Chinese representatives’ appeal received support from Nigerian scholars who drew parallels between China’s position on Taiwan and Nigeria’s diplomatic commitment to the one-China principle.
Sheriff Ibrahim, Head of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research in Nigeria, said Nigeria had consistently reaffirmed its recognition of the one-China principle.
He compared China’s efforts to preserve national unity with Nigeria’s own experience in protecting its territorial integrity and expressed confidence that Beijing would eventually achieve peaceful reunification with Taiwan.
Similarly, Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Centre for China Studies in Nigeria, said Africa’s experience of colonialism and foreign intervention offered a historical context for understanding China’s concerns about sovereignty and national unity.
The exhibition also sought to reinforce its message through personal accounts of Taiwanese businesspeople living and working on the Chinese mainland, presenting economic and social connections as part of the broader relationship between Taiwan and mainland China.
Chen Chi-An, Executive Vice President of the Guangzhou Taiwan-Funded Enterprises Association, said more than 2,900 Taiwan-funded companies were operating in Guangzhou.
He also highlighted the presence of Taiwanese students in the city, describing his professional interactions with young people from mainland China as one of the rewarding aspects of his experience.
Wu Chun-Jui, President of the Taiwan Businessmen Association in Dongguan, said the city offered a favourable business environment for Taiwanese entrepreneurs. He disclosed that Taiwanese businesspeople had established privately funded hospitals and schools there, contributing to local development.
Hsu Fu-hsien, President of the Taiwan Merchant Association in Shenzhen, said he had lived and worked in the city since 1990, building his career and family there.
Hsu said his experience reflected the connections developed by Taiwanese businesspeople on the mainland, expressing hope that the exhibition would help African audiences better understand their experiences.
The event also featured the presentation of a book edited by Xinhua News Agency, while Taiwan businessmen associations in Guangzhou and Shenzhen donated books to Nigerian officials and experts.
The exhibition formed part of broader activities aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and discussions on China’s historical experience and relations with African countries.
