The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described China as one of the most important partners in Nigeria’s quest to develop its infrastructure.

Speaking while receiving the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China to Nigeria, Ambassador Gu Xiaojie, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister said that is why the Nigerian government holds its relationship with China very dear.

“China is a veritabe development partner with Nigeria. The relationship between the two countries started at the level of cultural collaboration but has now gone beyond that to the developmental level,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed cited the partnership between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Star Times of China; the funds being provided by China for Nigeria’s rail project and the involvement of a Chinese firm in the Lagos State Government rail project as instances of the strategic relationship between the two countries.

He also called for more partnership between the two in the area of tourism, saying China has done well, especially in the area of domestic tourism.

While accepting the invitation to attend the First World Conference on Tourism Development in China in May 2016, the Minister said the trip would give him the opportunity to exchange views with China’s Tourism authorities on how best to help boost tourism in Nigeria.

Earlier, Ambassador Gu described the relationship between his country and China, which dates back 45 years, as “excellent and strategic.”

He said both countries attach great importance to the relationship and would work harder to strengthen it, especially in the areas of information, tourism and culture.

•Photo shows Lai Mohammed.