China has pledged continued support for Nigeria following threats by the United States to withdraw aid and take military action against the West African nation over alleged persecution of Christians.
US President Donald Trump recently claimed that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, warning that the US could send forces “guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government fails to halt what he described as religiously motivated violence. He also announced that Nigeria would be added to a U.S. State Department “watch list.”
Nigerian authorities have strongly rejected these accusations, describing them as unfounded and misrepresentative of the realities in the country.
Responding to the tensions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Tuesday that Beijing stands firmly with Abuja.
‘Pretext to interfere’
“China firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations or to threaten them with sanctions or force,” Mao said.
She added that China fully supports the Nigerian government in pursuing a ‘‘development path’’.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is nearly evenly divided between predominantly Muslim north and a Christian-majority south.
It has witnessed wide-ranging conflicts, which experts say kill both Christians and Muslims, often without distinction.
