Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, Director of Programmes at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Abiodun Ogidan, Special Adviser (Legal) and former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Ahmadu with school pupils and students of Wushu Chinese traditional martial arts at its premium exhibition in Abuja. Photo: Chinese Embassy
Nigeria and China have reaffirmed commitment to boost cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges through traditional Chinese martial arts, Wushu, as a platform for deepening mutual understanding and friendship.
The commitment was reaffirmed on Tuesday in Abuja during the Wushu (Martial Arts) Premium Exhibition held at the China Cultural Centre.
While speaking at the exhibition, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, said cultural exchange remains a vital bridge for promoting mutual learning among civilizations and bringing people closer together.
Describing Wushu as a significant symbol of Chinese civilization, Jianxing said it transcends sports and serves as a cultural language that embodies the values of respect, virtue, harmony and peaceful coexistence.
“As an important symbol of China’s outstanding traditional culture, Wushu is not merely a sport; it is a cultural language and a spiritual heritage. It embodies the Chinese nation’s enduring spirit of self-improvement and reflects values such as respect, virtue, harmony, and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Emphasising the philosophy behind Chinese martial arts, the envoy noted that the essence of Wushu is not the pursuit of conflict but its prevention.
According to him, martial arts in Chinese culture promote peace, moral development and self-discipline.
“The true spirit of martial arts lies not only in physical skills, but also in moral cultivation and personal growth,” he added.
The exhibition featured demonstrations and interactive sessions led by Professor Wu Dong and his team from Beijing Sport University, giving participants an opportunity to experience Chinese martial arts firsthand and gain deeper insights into Chinese culture.
Jianxing pledged that the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre would continue to expand cooperation in language education, arts, tourism, youth exchanges and sports.
“Together, we will strengthen mutual learning between our civilizations and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director of Programmes at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Abiodun Ogidan, commended the Chinese Embassy for promoting intercultural dialogue through media collaboration.
Ogidan highlighted the success of the weekly Ni Hao programme, which teaches Mandarin and showcases Chinese culture, tourism and innovation across FRCN’s network of more than 47 stations nationwide.
“This partnership has provided an invaluable platform for showcasing China’s culture and achievements to Nigerians while fostering greater understanding and appreciation of the enduring friendship between the two countries,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission reiterated its commitment to leveraging sports and cultural diplomacy to promote youth engagement, international cooperation and national development.
Representing the Director-General of the commission, Shehu Dikko, Special Adviser (Legal) and former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Ahmadu, said sports remain a powerful tool for fostering international understanding and strengthening relations among nations.
“Sports speaks a powerful language. It crosses borders, bridges differences, and brings people together in a way that formal diplomacy sometimes cannot.
“Through sports, nations build friendship, and through sports, cultures are accepted, understood, and respected,” Ahmadu said.
