PHOTOS: Tinubu meets Xi Jinping, inspects guard of honour

President Bola Tinubu met with China President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall, and inspected a guard of honour alongside the Chinese leader, during his official visit to the Asian nation. 

The Great Hall is a state building used for legislative and ceremonial activities by the Chinese government.

Videos and photos show the two leaders arriving and standing on a podium in the building.

On Thursday, Tinubu departed Abuja for Beijing.

In a statement, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said Tinubu would meet with Jinping and Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the forum on China-Africa cooperation.

Tinubu is also expected to attend the 2024 forum on China–Africa cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled to hold between September 4 and 6.

The forum serves as an official platform for cooperation between China and African countries and seeks to strengthen economic and political ties.

The forum holds every three years, with the last holding virtually in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.