NUJ FCT, China Cultural Centre set to host 7th Table Tennis Tournament

By Tom Okpe

17 July 2025

News

..As Ike appeals for more cultural exchange opportunities for journalists

By Tom Okpe

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council in collaboration with the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, has informed of its readiness, to host the 7th Nigeria–China Friendship Table Tennis Tournament.

The event, slated for 15th November 2025, was made known when the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike and her executive members paid a courtesy visit to the China Cultural Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.

The team, warmly received by Yang Jianxing, Director, Centre and Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, along with other senior staff, Comrade Ike expressed gratitude for the longstanding partnership between the NUJ FCT, and the China Cultural Centre, emphasising the importance of further cultural exchange and called for more opportunities for both countries to promote bilateral relations for national development.

“We are here to show appreciation for your continued support and further, strengthen our collaboration. Over the years, we hae shared so much in terms of cultural exchange programmes, training opportunities, and the annual table tennis tournament,” Ike said.

Ike also highlighted the participation of the China Cultural Centre in other NUJ FCT events, such as football tournaments, and expressed the council’s hope that this active partnership would continue.

She used the opportunity to formally, invite Jiangxing and his team to the upcoming NUJ FCT Press Week, scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, saying; “We would be honoured to have you there as one of our key partners.”

Ike appealed for more opportunities to be created for cultural exchanges between China cultural center and the NUJ FCT.

In his response, Jianxing welcomed the NUJ FCT delegation and thanked them for the visit, giving a brief overview of the China Cultural Centre, established in 2013, including facilities such as a multipurpose hall, library, and Mandarin language classes.

He said the Centre hosts various China–Nigeria cultural events every year, which include Spring Festival, International Women’s Day, China Tea Day, and the upcoming China–Nigeria Cultural Festival, which will be held in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

He also spoke about upcoming performances later this year, featuring Chinese traditional music, dance, Kung Fu, and magic shows, disclosing that the 7th Table Tennis Tournament would go ahead as planned in November and expressed hope for strong NUJ FCT participation and support, as seen in previous years.

On the request for training opportunities in China, Jiangxing assured the NUJ FCT that efforts would be made to secure at least one or two spots for their members stating; “I will do my best to speak with the Embassy and see what can be arranged,” he said.

He described Nigeria and China as “brothers and family,” highlighting the strong and mutually beneficial ties between the two nations.

He also, expressed appreciation for the role of the media in promoting understanding between the two cultures adding; “Through your work, people in China learn more about Nigeria.”