By Obinna Uballa
A United States lawmaker, Rep. Riley M. Moore, has thrown his weight behind President Donald Trump’s warning to intervene militarily in Nigeria if the alleged persecution of Christians continues, insisting that the U.S. will not allow China to influence its foreign policy decisions.
Moore, in a statement on Tuesday amid growing concern over Trump’s threat of military intervention, said the U.S. remains committed to defending religious freedom across the world, describing China’s criticism of Trump’s remarks as hypocritical.
“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, the representative for West Virginia’s 2nd congressional district, 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,” he added.
His comments came after China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the U.S. against “interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs” following Trump’s recent designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom.
At a press conference in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, expressed Beijing’s “firm support” for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing Nigeria as a “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 or force,” Mao said.
Trump had on October 31 announced that the U.S. would not “stand idly by” amid what he described as “ongoing genocide against Christians” in Nigeria, warning of possible military action if the situation persists.
Trump’s comments have since stirred global debate, drawing reactions from the Nigerian government, which dismissed the claims, and from China, which accused Washington of double standards.
