Okay News reports that the Government of the People’s Republic of China has issued a strong statement warning the United States of America against any form of interference or military action in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said China stands firmly with Nigeria as the West African nation “leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions or force,” Mao said.
Her remarks came in response to recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had warned of potential military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
Mao also addressed reports suggesting that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been seeking military equipment from China, Russia, and Iran in anticipation of possible attacks from the United States.
“China has a clear-cut stance on the U.S. cracking down on so-called ‘drug cartels’ by force in the Caribbean Sea,” the spokesperson continued. “China supports efforts to combat cross-border crimes through stronger international cooperation and opposes the use or threat of force in international relations.”
She further stated, “We stand against moves that undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean region, and oppose unilateral or excessive ‘enforcement operations’ against other countries’ vessels. We hope the U.S. will engage in normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks.”
Over the weekend, President Trump had publicly instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for what he described as “possible action” in Nigeria.
In a fiery statement, Trump said the Nigerian government must act swiftly to stop what he called “the killing of Christians.”
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump declared.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians! WARNING: The Nigerian government better move fast!” he added.
Nigeria’s federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has repeatedly dismissed the narrative of a “Christian genocide” as misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement responding to Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, President Tinubu said:
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.”
He reaffirmed that “religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
China’s latest remarks underscore growing tensions between major world powers over U.S. foreign policy approaches in Africa and beyond.
