Nigeria and China on Tuesday held a trade forum in Lagos State in southwest Nigeria to boost trade links and explore further business opportunities.

Nigeria-China relations have developed significantly since the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on establishing a strategic partnership when President Hu Jintao visited Nigeria in 2004 and 2006, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, governor of Nigeria's southwest Osun State, said in a keynote speech at the gathering.

The forum will further promote the friendship between the Chinese and Nigerian people and facilitate their exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology, culture and education, he said.

Lagos State commissioner for commerce and industry, Adeniyi Oyemade, said the state government hopes more Chinese investors could assist in the development of the state as well as the whole country.

Liu Aizhong, China's deputy consul-general to Lagos, said many Chinese businessmen are planning to increase investment and trade with Nigeria.

Liu said a trade delegation from southeastern Chinese province of Zhejiang had visited Logos earlier this month, and another delegation from eastern China's Shandong province will come to Nigeria for trade promotion in August.

He said the economic ties between China and Nigeria is constantly strengthening, adding that Nigerians are also welcomed to do business in China.

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2009)