The Effect of COVID-19 on the Diplomatic Relations Between Nigeria and China
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain whether COVID-19 affects the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China
- To ascertain the level of diplomatic cordiality between Nigeria and China
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Coronavirus
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available
Nigerian Political Relations
The main objective of this section is not to unveil the Sino-Nigerian political relations alone, but to also show some perspective on how certain aspects of the political relations could influence or contribute to China-Nigerian socio-economic development. It is imperative knowing that politics is the ultimate driving force in the Sino-Nigeria relations therefore; trade and investment would certainly play a part in the relationship and many more. However, Since the founding of People`s Republic of China in 1949, China has made tremendous efforts to explore a development road designed for her own needs and suitable to her own national conditions, which was finally summed up by Deng Xiaoping, the architect of the opening-up in 1978. The past three decades have been a critical period for Chinese people to seek harmonious scientific and sustainable development at national and international level to strengthen cooperation and embrace globalization with the world. In its quest to be part of globalization, China- Nigeria established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1971. But the internal crises faced by both countries reduced the pace of economic integration like Nigeria, the trade policy since 1960 witnessed extreme swings from high protectionism from the West in the first few decades after independence and also placed high restrictions on the importation of capital goods that could have enhanced local industries like machineries to boost agricultural production. The relation of the two countries grows closer as a result of international isolation and condemnation of Nigeria’s military regimes 1970-1998. While on the other hand, the Chinese open door policy embarked by the communist party in 1978 led by Deng Xiaoping which gives equal commercial and industrial rights to all the nationals precipitated the economic relations between the two.[24] However, in the early post-independence era, economic exchanges between China and Africa were largely marginal, as language and cultural barriers kept trade levels relatively low in comparison with Western powers that had established strong colonial linkages. China’s strategy was largely centered on the search for ideological allies against capitalism and opposition to Western influence. But despite China’s role in the nonaligned movement and broader Asian efforts to woo African states in forums such as the Bandung Conference, the conservative Nigerian government in Lagos at independence was an unlikely ally of a communist government and did not rush to embrace its Chinese counterpart. Chinese premier Zhou En-lai’s 10-country trip to Africa in late1963 did not include Nigeria.
Under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, China’s relationship with Africa shifted from a period of indirect political and ideological support to direct support for various national liberation movements. Nigeria, as a self-styled frontline state against white-led regimes in southern Africa, served as a facilitator of support for liberation fighters.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought the effect of covid19 in the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information the effect of covid19 in the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China. 200 staffs of Nigeria foreign affairs commission in Abuja was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of covid19 in the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and china. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of covid19 in the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and china
Summary
This study was on the effect of covid19 in the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and china. Two objectives were raised which included: To ascertain whether COVID19 affect the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China and to ascertain the level of diplomatic cordiality between Nigeria and China. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staffs of Nigeria foreign affairs commission, Abuja The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made HRMs, directors, administrative staffs and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
The study included that the coronavirus has brought about a decrease in the export of goods and services from Nigeria to China and the import of goods and services from China to Nigeria. The international trade has suffered much making the two countries suffer trade lost because of global challenges such as an increase in the number of infected persons and death. The Nigerian government had lost from the export of petroleum products since there is less demand for petroleum products in China and other countries of the world. This is because there is a lockdown of economic activities in Nigeria and China. There is no international airline operating in Nigeria. It is only the seaport that is allowed to transport goods across the border (food and beverage products) to Nigeria. Also, the Chinese government benefited from the coronavirus since they are the manufacturers of ventilators, face, and surgical masks and they export these items to Nigeria and other parts of the world. The Nigerian government had to pay them in natural resources or dollars and even China Yuan. The Chinese government also benefited by sending their medical experts to Nigeria to help reduced infected persons and death
Recommendation
Nigerian government should continue in the fight to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country since it has reduced the economic activities in the country. They should continue to observe the lockdown policy since Nigeria recorded a continuous increase in the number of infected persons. The Chinese government should continue in its policies since the number of infected persons in China had a very low rate.
The Nigerian government should continue in the lockdown policy, washing of hand and wearing of face masks since it reduces the number of death in the country
China should continue to export ventilators and masks to Nigeria since it is beneficial to them and they should continue to manufacture them and export to other countries of the world.
The Government of Nigeria and China should continue to establish a good trade and human relationship to solve this global pandemic.
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