China has voiced strong support for Nigeria amid renewed tensions sparked by United States criticism of the country’s handling of religious issues, warning against any form of external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

In a statement published on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website on Tuesday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Ms. Mao Ning, reaffirmed Beijing’s backing of Nigeria as a “comprehensive strategic partner.”

“As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on a development path that suits the country’s national realities,” Ms. Mao said during a regular press briefing in Beijing.

“We oppose any country’s interference in another nation’s internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights. We also reject the arbitrary threat of sanctions and the use of force,” she added.

Ms. Mao’s remarks came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christian communities.

According to reports, Mr. Trump warned that the U.S. could suspend aid to Nigeria or take military action if the government “continues to condone the killing of Christians.”

Posting on his Truth Social account, the former U.S. president declared that if Nigeria’s government “continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S. will immediately stop all aid and assistance … and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

His comments follow growing pressure from U.S. evangelical and conservative groups calling for stronger action on alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.