China has expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration following recent remarks by the U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened possible military intervention in Nigeria.
At a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing “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.”
Ning reaffirmed China’s solidarity with Nigeria, stating that Beijing stands with the country as it “leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions,” describing the relationship between both nations as “strategic and enduring.”
The Chinese diplomat’s comments were in response to questions regarding Trump’s warning of potential U.S. military action over alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.
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,” Ning said.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga shared China’s statement on his official X handle on Tuesday. Onanuga has repeatedly denied, on behalf of the Presidency, allegations of religious discrimination or persecution in Nigeria.
Trump had earlier accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians and suggested that the U.S. could take military action. The Nigerian government has dismissed the allegations, maintaining that it remains committed to protecting freedom of belief and worship.
Reacting to Trump’s remarks, 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. 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.”
