‘You won’t dictate our foreign policy’ — US rep slams China over remarks on Nigeria

Riley Moore, a member of the US house of representatives, says China has no right to dictate America’s foreign policy.

Moore was reacting to China’s disapproval of US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria as part of efforts to “protect Christians from persecution”.

On Wednesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, 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, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force”.

Moore dismissed China’s stance in an X post, describing the Asian country as 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 said.

“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.”

CONFRONTATION OR CONTAINMENT?

Frosty relations between the US and China largely stem from competing goals of global dominance.

China is the leading trading partner for many countries on the African continent.

China’s foreign policy, according to President Xi Jinping, centres on several key principles and strategic goals including mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.

In contrast, foreign aid cuts, tariffs, internal political schisms, and a suspended African trade scheme have raised concerns of waning US influence in Africa.

According to the US state department, protecting core national interest is the guiding mission of American foreign policy.

Before any programme is funded, it must be justified along these lines: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and European Union (EU) have reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

ECOWAS urged the global community to stand by countries in the region in their fight against terrorism.