China’s communist government is siding with Nigeria after President Donald Trump condemned the ongoing slaughter of Christians by Islamic extremists in the region. Beijing’s foreign ministry claimed Trump’s outrage was nothing more than an “excuse” to interfere in Nigerian politics.

“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 and force,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

She added, “As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”

The exchange began after Trump warned that the United States may take serious action if Nigeria continues to allow the killing of Christians.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said the U.S. could cut off foreign aid or even launch military strikes against terrorist groups responsible for targeting Christian villages. His warning followed months of reports of burned churches, mass graves, and widespread violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.

On Monday, the State Department designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for “severe violations of religious freedom.” Other countries on that list include China, Iran, Cuba, Russia, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

Trump had originally given Nigeria the same designation in 2020 before President Joe Biden removed it in 2021. The Trump administration has now reinstated it, citing worsening persecution of Christians.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu denied Trump’s accusations and insisted his administration protects freedom of religion. “We have done everything possible to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

The Chinese government, however, publicly threw its weight behind Tinubu, arguing that Washington has no right to pressure or threaten Nigeria. Beijing has a major economic interest in the country — Nigeria is China’s second-largest export market in Africa, with billions invested through China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

China’s close ties to Nigeria go beyond business. The Nigerian government has relied on Chinese financing for major infrastructure projects and has resisted U.S. influence.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also joined China in criticizing Trump’s move, calling the U.S. designation of Nigeria “misguided.”

“The terrorist threat facing West Africa targets all communities regardless of religion or ethnicity,” ECOWAS said in a statement. “Such rhetoric deepens division, weakens national solidarity, and distracts from the shared responsibility of confronting extremist groups.”

Despite the backlash, religious freedom groups praised Trump’s response.

“USCIRF applauds President Trump for speaking out on the religious freedom crisis in Nigeria and making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern,” said Vicky Hartzler, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. “The U.S. Government can now develop a tough plan with Nigeria to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held to account, people of faith are protected, and those held hostage are rescued.”

USCIRF Vice Chair Asif Mahmood also urged the U.S. to hold Nigeria accountable for enforcing blasphemy laws in 12 of its states. “Enforcing these laws and tolerating violence targeting Christians, Muslims, and other communities justify the CPC designation,” Mahmood said.

Last month, over thirty religious freedom groups sent a letter to Trump urging him to restore Nigeria’s CPC status. The letter detailed years of targeted massacres against Christian farmers and church communities by armed Fulani militants.

“The last several years have seen a burgeoning of violent attacks specifically targeting rural Christians in the country’s Middle Belt, while the government in Abuja barely lifts a finger to protect them,” the advocates wrote.

They accused Tinubu’s government of ignoring warnings and allowing Fulani groups to “attack defenseless Middle Belt Christians with complete impunity.”

Despite Nigeria’s strict gun laws, the Fulani are heavily armed, and their raids have wiped out entire villages. The letter also condemned the country’s use of Islamic blasphemy laws, which carry harsh prison sentences and even the death penalty.

While Nigeria and China defend their actions, faith leaders say the world can no longer look away from the brutal persecution of Christians.

Trump’s warning may have reignited tensions with Beijing, but for thousands of Nigerian families mourning their dead, it was the first time in years that anyone in power spoke up for them.