The Chinese government has expressed firm support for Nigeria following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of military action over alleged killings of Christians in the West African country.
Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the international community to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and cautioned against using religion or human rights as excuses for external interference.
“As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people along a development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities,” Mao said.
In a post shared by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria on X (formerly Twitter), Mao emphasised that Beijing opposes the use of coercive measures or military threats to influence the internal affairs of sovereign states.
“We oppose any country’s interference in another’s internal affairs under the pretext of religion or human rights.
“We also oppose the arbitrary use or threat of sanctions and force,” she said.
Trump’s remarks came after he accused Nigerian authorities of tolerating the “mass slaughter of Christians.”
In an explosive post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, the U.S. President said he had directed the Pentagon to map out potential military options in Nigeria.
“If Nigeria does not stop the killings, the United States will attack and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorists attack our cherished Christians,” Trump wrote.
Aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump reiterated his position when pressed by reporters about the possibility of deploying U.S. troops or air strikes.
“Could be,” he replied. “I envisage a lot of things.”
The comments have sparked widespread diplomatic reactions, with several African and global leaders urging restraint and dialogue.
Reacting to Trump’s statements, presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala told AFP that Nigeria remained a strong U.S. partner in the global fight against terrorism, but warned that such cooperation must respect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
“Nigeria welcomes U.S. support in fighting terrorism as long as it respects our sovereignty,” Bwala said.
He noted that the controversy could open the door to direct engagement between President Bola Tinubu and President Trump, aimed at resolving misunderstandings about religious tensions in Nigeria.
Tinubu, on his part, has rejected the claim that Christians are being deliberately targeted, describing Nigeria as a nation committed to interfaith harmony.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” the President said.
With tensions mounting between Washington and Abuja, diplomatic observers expect Nigeria to intensify consultations with key partners including the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and China, to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
