The Chinese government, through the office of the director of the political section at the Chinese embassy in Nigeria, expressed its appreciation of Nigeria’s firm support for its “One China” policy. It also commended Nigeria for its support in the relocation of the Taipei Trade Office from Abuja.
These commendations were made public during a media chat held in Abuja by Mr. Zhu Songbo, the director at the political section of the embassy. He praised Nigeria’s consistent stance towards China’s foreign policy thrusts, especially as it relates to its insistent desire to unite China under the “One China” policy.
China’s claim of Taiwan steeps deep in history and is affirmed by the birth of the People’s Republic of China (ROC) and the march towards the unification of China under the ‘One China” policy. In 1949, the Soviet Union announced its recognition of the People’s Republic of China, saying that the Kremlin considers it as the only lawful government of China.
The “One-China” policy as enunciated by the leaders of the People’s Republic of China recognizes no other sovereign state under the name China except the People’s Republic of China with its capital in Beijing. The territories unified under this policy included Taiwan.
In his speech, Zhu extolled Nigeria, further stating Nigeria has shown loyalty and friendliness to China since both countries established bilateral relations in 1971.
“On February 10, 1971, the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations and issued the Joint Communiqué between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating that ‘The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government representing the whole of the Chinese people.’
He further stated, “China appreciates Nigeria’s efforts, including the relocation of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria out of Abuja. Last year, during President Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar’s visit to China, both countries signed two joint statements reaffirming that ‘The Nigerian side firmly adheres to the One-China principle, acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any form of interference in the internal affairs of China and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.”
To encourage journalists in the country to remain committed to the foreign policy ideals of the People’s Republic of China, Zhu urged them to refrain from using words, phrases, or clauses that undermine the “One China” policy. He made reference to words such as “The Republic of China,” “The State of Taiwan,” “The Ambassador of Taiwan to Nigeria,” and “The Embassy of Taiwan to Nigeria.”
Zhou reiterated the need for objectivity and fairness in reporting news about China and the Chinese government’s commitment to seeing that Nigeria fulfills its dreams and maximizes its potential.
