By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
China Backs Nigeria, Warns Trump Against Military Action Over Religious Claims
China has thrown its weight behind Nigeria following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat of military intervention over alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said her country “firmly supports the Nigerian government as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”
Ning described Trump’s comments as an attempt to interfere in another nation’s domestic affairs under the guise of human rights and religion.
“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,” she stated.
Her remarks came in response to Trump’s weekend directive to the U.S. Department of Defense to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria. The U.S. president had accused the Nigerian government of allowing the killing of Christians and warned that Washington could launch an attack if the situation did not change.
“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,” Trump said.
In a swift response, the Nigerian government dismissed the allegations, describing them as baseless and unfair. President Bola Tinubu, in a statement from the State House, said the U.S. president’s claims do not reflect the true state of religious freedom in the country.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it consider the government’s continued efforts to protect freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said. “Religious freedom and tolerance remain at the heart of our national identity.”
China’s expression of support marks the first major international backing Nigeria has received since Trump’s threat.
The Presidency has said that President Tinubu and President Trump are expected to meet in the coming days, though no specific date has been announced.
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