A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has openly criticized China’s intervention in the diplomatic row over Nigeria, “insisting that Beijing would not dictate America’s foreign policy.”
In a post shared on his X handle on Tuesday, Moore backed US President Donald Trump’s stance on defending Christians in Nigeria, arguing that the US has a “moral responsibility to defend religious freedom.”
Moore expressed his strong support for the President, writing that “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 Saviour Jesus Christ.”
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The lawmaker then heavily criticized China’s human rights record, accusing Beijing of hypocrisy for trying to lecture the US on global affairs. Moore stated definitively: “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.”
Moore’s comments came after China had warned Washington against what Beijing called “unwarranted interference in Nigeria’s internal security matters,” following Trump’s threat of direct intervention. China’s earlier warning, delivered by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, declared its “firm support” for the Nigerian government.
Ning had stated: “As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people to a development path that fits Nigeria’s national realities. 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 sanctions and the use of force.”
Is it a religious freedom or Christianity?