The logistics industrial park as the second phase of the Lekki Port, a signature project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative in Nigeria, started construction on Friday.
Constructed by the China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), the Lekki Deep Sea Port is the largest seaport in Nigeria, and one of the biggest in West Africa. The construction of the port commenced in June 2020, and is designed to handle 1.2 million standard containers annually.
This logistics industrial park covers an area of about 40 hectares, which is equivalent to the terminal area of Lekki Port which is already completed. The logistics park is expected to be completed within two years.
"Lekki Port is situated in the Lekki Free Trade Zone. The city's layout features the port at the front, the free trade zone in the central area, and the urban area at the back. Once construction is completed, the logistics industrial park will fulfill the role of industrial distribution," said Yan Yuqing, Consul General of China in Lagos.
The project focuses on the construction of warehousing and logistics facilities such as container yards, bonded warehouses, overseas warehouses, and customs supervision warehouses. The completed logistics park will be able to store and distribute bulk commodities and provide fast and convenient customs clearance services. Additionally, the self-operated fleet owned by the logistics park is expected to meet the diverse transportation needs of various goods.
"The old port of Nigeria is very crowded, and customs clearance is often delayed. This logistics industrial park will help greatly improve the port's throughput," said Li Hui, person in charge of the construction operator of the logistics industrial park.
China helps Nigeria in building logistics industrial park of Lekki Port
The steady growth of the Chinese economy and the country's continued efforts to open up and innovate will bring sustained confidence to the world economy, international experts said as China's annual two sessions are attracting global attention.
China's GDP grew by 5 percent year on year in 2024, ranking among the world's fastest-growing major economies and continuing to contribute about 30 percent to global economic growth.
At this year's third session of the 14th National People's Congress -- the first since last July's reform-themed third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China -- reform was once again highlighted across a broad spectrum of areas, ranging from rural development and improving fiscal, tax and financial systems, to education and health care.
According to a government work report submitted on Wednesday to the national legislature for deliberation, China targets an economic growth rate of around 5 percent in 2025. The report also outlines an array of other key development goals for this year, including a surveyed urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 percent, over 12 million new urban jobs, and an around 2 percent increase in the consumer price index.
Speaking about China's development, Marcela Vera, director of the Institute of Local Governments (IGLO) at Universidad Abierta de Recoleta, praised the country for achieving the balance of social welfare and economic growth.
"China has successfully balanced social welfare with healthy economic growth. Especially against the backdrop of global economic stagnation, recession, or extreme inflation, China's inflation rate is remarkably low. This allows people not only to earn high incomes but also to have stronger purchasing power compared to citizens of other countries," she said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged east China's Jiangsu Province, an economic powerhouse, to play a major role in the country's overall development when taking part in a deliberation with his fellow lawmakers from Jiangsu on March 5.
He said Jiangsu should take the lead in integrating technological and industrial innovation, advancing in-depth reform and high-standard opening up, and implementing major national development strategies, urging it to set an example in pursuing common prosperity.
Curtis Atkins, a Canadian media professional who is now managing editor of the Long View Publishing, spoke highly of President Xi's "forward-looking" thinking and expressed optimism about Jiangsu's role in promoting common prosperity among different Chinese regions.
"When President Xi talked about Jiangsu Province playing this leading role to help carry the rest of the country forward and to show the way, I think it really is another example of contrast, where the different regions, the different provinces of China are always reminded that we are in this together, this is a cooperative enterprise, this is about common prosperity for all of our people. It's very forward-looking," said Atkins.
Russian news commentator Igor Shnushenko, also former editor-in-chief of Delovoy Peterburg, commended China's commitment to technological innovation, emphasizing its collaboration for global benefit, especially for developing countries.
"I noticed that President Xi emphasized technological innovation and industrial innovation once again in his speech. I think this is very important, as both China and the global economy need continuous innovation. Developing countries, in particular, must quickly upgrade their traditional industries and continue to explore emerging industries," he said.
The "two sessions" refer to the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). This year, the third session of the 14th NPC opened on March 5 and will conclude on March 11, while the third session of the 14 CPPCC National Committee opened on March 4 and concluded on March 10.
China's development brings confidence to the world: int'l experts
