China has voiced strong support for the Nigerian government amid escalating tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention over alleged persecution of Christians.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that Beijing “firmly supports the Nigerian government as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”
Addressing questions regarding Trump’s remarks, Ning said, “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 or to threaten them with sanctions or force.”
Ning’s remarks followed questions about U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning of possible military action against Nigeria over alleged religious persecution.
Last Saturday, Trump directed the U.S. Department of Defense to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria, escalating diplomatic tension between Washington and Abuja.
The U.S. President had cautioned the Nigerian government to take swift action to stop the “killing of Christians” and described Nigeria as a “disgraced country.”
“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 warned.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action,” Trump added.
The U.S. leader continued, “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!”
In response, the Nigerian government firmly denied the allegations through an official statement.
President Bola 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.”
“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,” Tinubu stated.
China’s support marks the first major international backing for Nigeria since Trump’s military threat. While the Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu and Trump would meet in the coming days, no specific date has been announced.
