Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy Sheng Guangzu in Abuja, the capital, on Monday.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (R) met with Sheng Guangzu (L), Chinese President Hu Jintao's Special Envoy attending the presidential inauguration ceremony on Monday. [Cao Kai/Xinhua]

Jonathan expressed thanks to Sheng, also the minister of Railways of China, to attend his presidential inauguration ceremony held on Sunday.

He said China is a great friend of Nigeria and that he is satisfied with the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Nigeria is now witnessing a new period of development, he said, adding that he expects more Chinese enterprises to take part in infrastructural construction and railway projects in Nigeria.

Jonathan said Nigeria hopes to get China's support in the framework of the United Nations and other international institutions.

Sheng conveyed the Chinese president's congratulations on his inauguration. He said, in the past four decades since China and Nigeria forged diplomatic ties, especially since 2005 when the two countries established strategic partnership, the two sides have enhanced mutual political trust.

He said on major international issues, the two countries kept close exchanges and coordination and that they achieved effective cooperation in various areas.

The Chinese government will further enhance high-level exchange with Nigeria and deepen the cooperation in bilateral and international issues, the envoy said. China will encourage Chinese enterprises to take part in and support Nigeria's economic construction so as to promote the development of the strategic partnership of the two countries, Sheng promised.

The Chinese special envoy arrived in Abuja on Saturday to attended Jonathan's presidential inauguration.