Mark Urges China To Document Sale Of Military Uniforms, Hardware

The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, has
urged the Head of the Chinese Parliament,
Zhang Dejiang, to initiate laws to ensure the
documentation of buyers and sellers of military
hardware and uniforms from China.
Mark made the appeal in Beijing on Monday at
an interactive meeting with Zhang at the Great
Hall of the People.

The Senate president said that proper
documentation would go a long way to curb the
activities of Boko Haram and insurgency as the
identity of buyers could be easily traced.

He further said that because of Nigeria's current
challenges, every interface between the Nigerian
and Chinese parliaments should be based on
military training and strategy, technology
transfer, poverty reduction and job creation.

``We also ask that China should assist in our
fight against terrorism and buyers and sellers of
military uniforms as well as hardware from
your country should be properly documented.

``This will enable us trace the sources of
military uniforms and hardware available to
these terrorists,’’ Mark said.
He assured the Chinese Parliament that Nigeria
was doing everything possible to rescue
some 230 girls abducted by the terrorists.

Mark expressed appreciation for the assistance
promised and made available by the
international community, including China, and
asked for more assistance in the area of
intelligence gathering.

``We believe that the terrorists and insurgents
in our country have connections with other
terrorists and possibly with some international
terrorists groups.

``We also believe that China with her
experience in strategies and tactics can help in
intelligence gathering to enable us halt the
murderous acts of the Boko Haram,’’ he said.

In his response, Zhang  who is the Chairman of
the Standing Committee of the Chinese National
People's Congress (NPC), described terrorism as
a common enemy.

Zhang said that China was firmly behind Nigeria
and that China was also a victim of terrorism.

He said that China had been following the story
of the abduction of the girls and would help in
whatever way possible and prayed for the safe
return of the girls.

``We condemn the abduction of these girls in
the strongest terms, China will also give active
support in ensuring that the girls are brought
back home."

The Senate president was earlier taken on a
guided tour round the building called the great
hall of the people where the Chinese parliament
holds its sitting.