The Chinese government has declared its support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, warning against any form of foreign interference following the U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of possible military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing “firmly opposes” any country using religion or human rights as a pretext to meddle in another nation’s internal affairs or threaten it with sanctions and force.
“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,” Ning stated.
“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,” she added.
Ning’s remarks came in response to questions about Trump’s weekend warning that Washington could launch a military operation in Nigeria if the government failed to stop what he described as “the mass killing of Christians.”
The statement marks China’s first public reaction to the escalating diplomatic row between Abuja and Washington, signaling strong backing for Nigeria amid growing geopolitical tension.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, shared Beijing’s remarks on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, describing it as a “welcome show of friendship and solidarity.”
Onanuga reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of faith, stressing that claims of religious persecution were “false narratives designed to undermine national unity.”
