Riley Moore, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has criticized China, saying the country has no authority to dictate America’s foreign policy.
Moore made the remark in response to China’s condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria, which Trump claimed was to “protect Christians from persecution.”
Recall that on Wednesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, stated that “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 and force.”
Reacting, Moore dismissed the statement and described China as a communist autocracy.
He said, “President Trump is absolutely right to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering horrific persecution, and even martyrdom, for their faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
“China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured to by a Communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and throws ethnic minorities in concentration camps,” the lawmaker added.
The military invasion threat by Trump has drawn mixed reactions from the Nigerian government and citizens. The Nigerian government has denied the allegations, insisting that no one in the country is targeted because of their religion.
According to the President Tinubu-led administration, insurgent groups in Nigeria do not discriminate when carrying out attacks.
