A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has slammed China for criticisng former President Donald Trump’s warning of potential military intervention in Nigeria to defend Christians facing persecution.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported Beijing had earlier condemned Trump’s statement, with Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stressing that “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, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force.”
Responding via X, Moore dismissed China’s objection, branding the Asian nation a “Communist autocracy.”
“President Trump is absolutely right to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering horrific persecution, and even martyrdom, for their faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Moore stated. “China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured to by a Communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and throws ethnic minorities in concentration camps.”
Power Rivalry and Global Influence
Tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to deepen as both powers compete for global dominance. While China has become the principal trading partner for much of Africa, its government insists that its foreign policy is rooted in “mutual respect, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence,” as outlined by President Xi Jinping.
Meanwhile, America faces criticism for declining engagement on the continent, with aid cuts, tariffs, and the suspension of key trade programmes sparking fears of diminished influence. The America’s Department of State maintains that every foreign initiative must align with its core national interests — namely, making America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
Amid the diplomatic row, both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the international community to support West African nations in their ongoing battle against terrorism.
