By Tgnews Reporter
In a timely show of solidarity, China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, met with National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu today, pledging Beijing’s unyielding support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and its sovereign right to forge its own path free from foreign meddling.
The high-level talks, held in the heart of Abuja, underscore the deepening bond between the two nations, especially as Nigeria navigates escalating international pressures.
Ambassador Yu, speaking after the meeting, emphasized China’s role as a “comprehensive strategic partner,” ready to ramp up defense and security collaboration to bolster internal stability and promote sustainable development rooted in mutual respect and non-interference.
”Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s participation in the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and his state visit to China last year, our relations have entered a new phase of practical, results-driven collaboration,” Yu stated in a message shared on X.
He highlighted tangible gains in key sectors that have already boosted Nigeria’s economy and improved everyday lives, from infrastructure to trade.
At the core of the discussion was China’s staunch backing of Nigeria’s autonomy. The ambassador reiterated Beijing’s firm opposition to any external interference in sovereign affairs, whether cloaked as concerns over religion or human rights, and roundly rejected coercive tactics like sanctions or threats of force.
”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,” Yu declared, a pointed message amid recent U.S. rhetoric from the Trump administration, including warnings of potential action over alleged religious persecutions.
This comes just days after China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, echoed similar sentiments during a Beijing press briefing on Tuesday, urging respect for Nigeria’s internal matters.
The ambassador’s visit arrives against a backdrop of heightened global scrutiny on Nigeria, where U.S. lawmakers have pushed for diplomatic measures citing “systematic persecution” of Christians, prompting swift redesignation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
On the security front, Yu reaffirmed China’s willingness to expand joint efforts in counter-terrorism, drawing from successful models of bilateral cooperation.
“China is willing to continue supporting Nigeria in combating terrorism and maintaining domestic stability,” he said, committing to closer ties that foster peace and shared prosperity.
Ribadu, a former anti-corruption czar turned security chief under President Tinubu, welcomed the overtures, noting in the post-meeting readout that such partnerships are vital for addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted threats, from insurgency in the northeast to maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Sources close to the NSA described the dialogue as “frank and forward-looking,” with discussions touching on intelligence sharing and potential joint patrols—echoing a recent maritime protocol signed during Ribadu’s working dinner with Yu in Shanghai last week.
The meeting also spotlighted broader economic horizons.
Yu extended a personal invitation for Nigeria to join as guest of honor at the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, positioning it as a gateway for enhanced trade, tech transfers, and industrial synergies. This gesture aligns with China’s broader Africa strategy, emphasizing win-win partnerships over prescriptive aid.
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