The government of the People’s Republic of China has expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and cautioned against what it described as foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, following recent remarks by former United States President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, 4 November, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said 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.”
Mao added:
“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.”
Her comments were in response to Mr Trump’s statement on Saturday, 2 November, in which he warned that the United States could halt aid to Nigeria and consider military action if the Nigerian government failed to stop what he alleged to be “persecution of Christians.” Mr Trump also claimed he had ordered the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action.
The U.S. State Department, on 31 October, had redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” over what it called “severe violations of religious freedom”, citing alleged large-scale killings of Christians. The designation has increased tension between both countries.
The claims of a targeted campaign against Christians have been rejected by the Nigerian government, which maintains that ongoing violence affects citizens of various faiths and ethnic groups.
In Lagos, Senior Pastor of Guiding Light Assembly, Wale Adefarasin, addressed the issue during a sermon on Sunday, 2 November. A video of the sermon circulated widely on social media.
Pastor Adefarasin acknowledged recurring violence in parts of the country, including Southern Kaduna and Plateau State, but argued that the term “genocide” is inaccurate.
“What is happening in Nigeria does not amount to genocide against Christians,” he said. “Over 40 years that I have been a Christian, there have been killings in southern Kaduna, killings on the Plateau, there have been riots. It’s nothing new. The way the West are talking about it, it’s as if a Christian steps on the street, his head will be blown off.”
He suggested that the renewed international attention may be linked to Nigeria’s growing control over key economic assets.
“I’m trying to understand this sudden love for Christians,” he said. “Is it because we now have one of the largest refineries in the world, and no longer have to ship raw materials abroad and bring the finished products? Or is it because of the 21st-century minerals we now have in our earth that are used to generate nuclear power for electric vehicles?”
Security analysts note that Nigeria has faced repeated violent incidents over the last two decades involving armed groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, criminal gangs, and armed herders.
Human rights organisations and local security trackers have reported thousands of deaths in affected areas, but attribution of attacks based on religion remains disputed.
The Nigerian government insists that no state policy or state-backed operation targets any religious group.
