November 05, (THEWILL) — A fresh diplomatic row has erupted between Washington and Beijing, as United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, criticised China for backing the Nigerian government in the wake of President Donald Trump’s warning of a possible US military intervention over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.
The lawmaker representing West Virginia’s 2nd District in the Congress, in a statement on X, condemned China for its stance and insisted that the United States would not allow a foreign power to dictate its foreign policy direction, especially on matters concerning religious freedom and human rights.
He argued that America had both a moral and global responsibility to stand up for persecuted Christians around the world, insisting that any alleged attacks on religious minorities in Nigeria must be taken seriously by the international community.
“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 Saviour Jesus Christ”, Moore stated.
The lawmaker accused China of hypocrisy, pointing to Beijing’s long–criticised human rights record, including the imprisonment of Christian pastors and the alleged persecution of ethnic minorities in detention camps.
“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 threw ethnic minorities in concentration camps”, he declared, in a fiery rebuke.
Moore’s comments come after China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, publicly rejected Trump’s comments and warned against using religion and human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, including Nigeria.
“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”, Ning said, reiterating Beijing’s unwavering diplomatic support for Nigeria.
Ning further insisted that China opposed any threats of sanctions or military force against Nigeria, stressing that no country should exploit religion to pursue geopolitical interests or destabilise sovereign states.
“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”, she added.
The escalating diplomatic tension follows growing international concern over reported religious–based attacks in parts of Nigeria, a matter that has increasingly drawn global attention and sharp reactions from Western political and religious groups.
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