China has declared its strong support for Nigeria’s government, urging the United States to avoid any form of interference following recent military threats by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking during a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China remains “a comprehensive strategic partner” to Nigeria and will continue to respect the country’s sovereignty.
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in another country’s internal affairs or to threaten others with sanctions or force,” Ning stated.
She made the comment while responding to questions about President Trump’s remarks warning of potential US military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
Ning also addressed reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is seeking military equipment from China, Russia, and Iran in preparation for possible US aggression.
“China has a clear position on the US move to use force in the Caribbean Sea under the pretext of fighting ‘drug cartels,’” she said. “We support international cooperation to combat cross-border crimes but oppose using or threatening to use force in global relations. We reject actions that undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we call on the United States to act within bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks.”
Over the weekend, Trump instructed the US Department of War to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria. He accused the Nigerian government of allowing “the killing of Christians,” describing the country as “disgraced.”
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country ‘guns blazing’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump warned.
“I am 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 government has consistently denied claims of a Christian genocide. Responding to Trump’s remarks, President Bola Tinubu said such a description does not represent Nigeria’s reality.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it consider the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to protect freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
“Religious freedom and tolerance are core parts of our collective identity and will remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not promote it,” he added.