A naval fleet from the People's Liberation Army of China, led by the destroyer "Nanning," arrived in Nigeria on Sunday in a rare visit to the African coast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Beijing has long sought to strengthen its influence in the region. The Chinese embassy in Nigeria stated in a statement on Monday that the Chinese ambassador praised the visit, which is set to last five days, describing it as a milestone in relations. The Nigerian navy showed readiness to collaborate with China to address maritime security threats and maintain stability in the Gulf of Guinea.
West Africa, rich in oil, is one of the most important crude oil exporting regions in the world, with countries in the area, particularly Angola and Nigeria, among the largest oil suppliers to China. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) is involved in offshore production operations off the coast of Nigeria.
There are speculations that the Gulf of Guinea may provide a potential base for the Chinese military, as Beijing has strengthened its influence in nearly every African country through investment, trade, and loans over the past three decades. China opened its first overseas naval base in Djibouti in East Africa in 2017, raising concerns that Beijing might establish more "logistical facilities" abroad, while it develops its military's capability to operate thousands of kilometers away from home.
