China supports Buhari’s anti-corruption drive

China has declared its support for President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s anti-corruption drive, saying it is the right thing for a responsible government to do.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gu Xiaojie, told newsmen that the Chinese Government was also waging a similar war back home.

“We are following the development and also we appreciate that the new government is going on this anti-corruption campaign. Actually in China, we are doing exactly about the same because it is a responsible government.

“They have to get rid of all the corrupt people in government, in business and also in public affairs”, the envoy said.

He, however, cautioned that Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign should be waged within the provisions of the law.

Gu said Chinese government had always advised Chinese and Chinese firms doing business in Nigeria on the need to respect the laws of the land while carrying out their activities.

He said that if any of them was suspected to have been found wanting, investigations should be carried out in accordance with the law.

“Sometimes some Chinese cases are mentioned or are referred to; we are following very closely because we believe that the Nigerian Government is looking into it,” he said.

Gu said the Chinese government would continue to encourage companies owned by Chinese to operate or cooperate with Nigerian entrepreneurs on the basis of mutual benefit and according to the laws.

“We are educating our companies to respect the customs and traditions of this country and best practices in their businesses.

“The purpose is to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields between the government of China and the government of Nigeria; I am very optimistic about the future of the cooperation,” he said.