The Government of the People’s Republic of China has frowned at reports by The Times of the United Kingdom over allegations of terrorism funding in Nigeria.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The spokesperson of the Embassy of China in Nigeria, in a statement issued on the Embassy’s website, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a media report titled “Chinese ‘bribed Nigerian militants for access to vast mineral reserves,” published by The Times of the U.K. on April 15, 2023.
“This report, claiming that ‘Beijing could be indirectly funding terror’ in Nigeria, is based on unverified, unclear, and unproven information, to which we have to express our strong dissatisfaction and objection.
The Chinese GovernmentNEDES.ORG has denied funding militants to access Nigerian mining sites, adding that it will never be involved in any form of terrorism financing.
China had reacted to a report by the British news platform, about financing terrorists to access Nigeria’s mineral resources through a statement denying its involvement.
The report dated April 15, 2023, and titled, ‘Chinese ‘bribed Nigerian militants for access to vast mineral reserves’ claimed that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror” in Nigeria.
However, the Chinese Embassy said the report is “based on unverified, unclear and unproven information, to which we have to express our strong dissatisfaction and objection.”
“The Chinese government, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, have always encouraged and urged the Chinese companies and nationals in Nigeria to abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria, and to implement the local rules and guidance on labor, environment, health, and safety, etc, and would continue their efforts in this regard,” the statement added.
“The Chinese government was and would never be involved in any form of funding terrorism.
“The allegations contained in the report were totally irresponsible and unethical, and the intention of the report is seriously questioned.
“For the past decades, the bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria has brought tangible benefits to our bilateral ties and the well-being of the two peoples. We will continue to work with the Nigerian government to promote development and address security issues.
“We welcome international partners to join our efforts in good faith but would reject any intention or action that would smear our cooperation.”