…As he meets NSA Ribaɗu
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has met with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribaɗu, after President Trump issued a military threat against Nigeria.
According to the Ambassador, since President Tinubu attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and his state visit to China last year, practical cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results.
He wrote: “Since President Tinubu’s attendance at the Beijing Summit of the ‘Forum on China-Africa Cooperation’, and his state visit to China last year, practical cooperation between our two countries across various fields has yielded fruitful outcomes, effectively supporting Nigeria’s socio-economic development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods”.
Dunhai said that as a strategic partner of Nigeria, China will stand by the Nigerian government in its drive to bring development to its citizens. He also reiterated China’s position of opposing any external or military interference in the affairs of Nigeria.
The Ambassador wrote, “As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to a development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities. We oppose any country’s interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights. We oppose the wanton threat of sanction and use of force”.
Recall that China recently released a statement condemning the threat by United States President Trump, who warned Nigeria about the alleged Christian genocide in the country.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing “firmly supports the Nigerian government as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions”.
Responding to questions about Trump’s comments, Ning said, “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”.
Recall that last Saturday, Trump directed the U.S. Department of Defence to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria, escalating tensions between Washington and Abuja.
