China has called on the global community to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty after the United States, under President Donald Trump, threatened possible military intervention in the country.
Beijing reaffirmed its support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, commending Nigeria’s pursuit of a development path aligned with its national identity and circumstances.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made these remarks during a routine press briefing, as confirmed by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria in a post on X on Tuesday.
“As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to a development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities,” Mao Ning was quoted as saying.
She further stressed China’s opposition to the use of religion and human rights as justifications for interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. “We oppose any country’s interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights. We oppose the wanton threat of sanction and use of force,” Mao stated.
The remarks followed a controversial statement by US President Donald Trump, who, in an explosive post on his Truth Social platform last Saturday, revealed that he had instructed the Pentagon to draft a potential plan of attack against Nigeria. His comments came a day after claiming that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous nation.
Trump warned that if the Nigerian government failed to curb killings, the US would strike swiftly. “It will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians,” he wrote.
Speaking again on Sunday aboard Air Force One, Trump reaffirmed his stance when asked whether the United States was considering deploying troops or launching air strikes, saying, “Could be, I envisage a lot of things.”
The US president’s comments have since drawn strong responses from diplomatic and political quarters across both nations.
Reacting to the statement, Nigerian presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala told AFP that Nigeria remains a committed ally of the United States in the global campaign against terrorism.
“Nigeria welcomes US support to fight terrorism as long as it respects our territorial integrity,” Bwala said, adding that Trump’s remarks could be an attempt to prompt high-level talks between both leaders.
According to Bwala, discussions between President Tinubu and President Trump may soon take place to address shared security interests and clear misunderstandings surrounding faith-based violence.
President Tinubu, however, dismissed claims that Christians were being singled out for attacks, insisting that Nigeria remains a model of religious coexistence. “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” he stated.
What You Should Know
China has defended Nigeria’s sovereignty after US President Donald Trump threatened military action over alleged Christian persecution.
Beijing reaffirmed its partnership with Nigeria, warning against interference under religious or human rights pretenses. The Nigerian government maintained that it values US cooperation but rejects any breach of territorial integrity.
