China has proven to be a reliable and dependable partner of Nigeria and Africa, its genuine concern for the economy of Nigeria and Africa is well-known, Nigeria's Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said in an interview with Xinhua at weekend.

"Through the forum on China-Africa, China has continued to provide economic and technical assistance to countries of Africa. We appreciate China's role in our development efforts," he said.

On Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua's upcoming visit to China, scheduled from February 27 to March 1, the Foreign Minister said the president's proposed state visit to China at this time aimed to achieve "furtherance of the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China."

"The Nigerian side is expected to use the visit to further strengthen the already thriving bilateral ties between the two countries," he added.

He disclosed that the Draft 2008-2010 Protocol of the Program on Implementation of Cultural and Educational Cooperation and Exchanges between the two countries would be signed during the visit among other bilateral agreements.

Bilateral ties remain mutually beneficial

Maduekwe said Nigeria-China relations remained warm, cordial and mutually beneficial. "The relationship has recently attained strategic partnership status which has imparted positively on the economic, political and cultural relationship," he said.

According to Maduekwe, there is a growing number of Chinese companies undertaking projects or investing in Nigeria and collaborating with Nigerians, and China has offered to build in Nigeria's capital Abuja a cultural center, which will be further discussed during the president's visit.