Moore was reacting to China’s disapproval of US President
Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria as part of efforts to
“protect Christians from persecution”.

On Wednesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign
ministry, said “as Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, 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”.

Moore dismissed China’s stance in an X post, describing the
Asian country as a communist autocracy.

“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 Savior Jesus Christ,” Moore said.

“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.”

CONFRONTATION OR CONTAINMENT?

Frosty relations between the US and China largely stem from
competing goals of global dominance.

China is the leading trading partner for many countries on
the African continent.

China’s foreign policy, according to President Xi Jinping,
centres on several key principles and strategic goals including mutual respect
for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in
internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.

In contrast, foreign aid cuts, tariffs, internal political
schisms, and a suspended African trade scheme have raised concerns of waning US
influence in Africa.

According to the US state department, protecting core
national interest is the guiding mission of American foreign policy.

Before any programme is funded, it must be justified along
these lines: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it
make America more prosperous?

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and
European Union (EU) have reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity.

ECOWAS urged the global community to stand by countries in
the region in their fight against terrorism.