China has declared its firm support for Nigeria amid growing diplomatic tension following threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to launch military action over alleged persecution of Christians.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed her country’s position, saying China “firmly supports the Nigerian government as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”
Ning emphasised 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.”
Her remarks came in response to Trump’s comments over the weekend, in which he accused the Nigerian government of allowing the “killing of Christians” and warned of possible U.S. military intervention.
“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 had said.
“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!”
The Nigerian government has repeatedly dismissed allegations of religious persecution, insisting the country remains committed to protecting freedom of belief.
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President Bola Tinubu, reacting to Trump’s remarks, 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.”
Meanwhile, Mao Ning also addressed reports that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sought military equipment from China, Russia, and Iran in anticipation of possible U.S. attacks.
She reiterated China’s opposition to Washington’s militarised actions, saying, “China has a clear-cut stance on the US cracking down on so-called ‘drug cartels’ by force in the Caribbean Sea. China supports the effort of combating cross-border crimes through stronger international cooperation, and opposes using or threatening to use force in international relations.”
“We stand against moves that undermine peace and stability in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, and oppose unilateral and 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,” she added.
