The Chinese Consulate General in Lagos has urged Nigerian media organisations to distinguish between reporting on Taiwan and descriptions that portray the island as a sovereign country separate from China, prompting discussions on diplomatic sensitivities and editorial independence.
Xu Fan, Director of Bilateral Relations and Commerce at the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos, outlined Beijing’s position during a meeting with Nigerian media executives, citing historical records, international agreements and the diplomatic framework established after the Second World War.
He referenced United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971 and Nigeria’s diplomatic recognition of the People’s Republic of China, describing the One-China Principle as the political foundation of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Abuja.
Xu also noted that Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the principle during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024.
He clarified that China did not object to Nigerian media reporting on Taiwan but was concerned about terminology it considers suggestive of the island’s recognition as a sovereign state.
The position prompted an exchange with Nigerian media executives, who emphasised that editorial independence and journalists’ freedom to report matters of public interest must be preserved.
The meeting also examined bilateral relations, trade, investment and media cooperation, highlighting the need for continued engagement between Chinese diplomatic institutions and Nigerian media organisations.
Media Urged to Deepen Nigeria-China Understanding
The session was convened by Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze, a representative of Buffalo and Bay Media, and featured Ambassador Anderson Madubike, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, former Consul General in Shanghai and former Chargé d’Affaires to South Africa.
Eze described Nigeria-China relations as a partnership that had expanded beyond traditional diplomacy to include infrastructure, trade, education, technology, agriculture, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
He urged media organisations to report the relationship accurately and in context, saying informed public discourse was essential to maximising the benefits of bilateral cooperation.
“The media does not merely report events. It shapes how societies understand countries, people, policies and opportunities,” Eze said.
Madubike described the relationship as robust, citing the countries’ extensive diplomatic, commercial and infrastructure ties. He said the media played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions, providing reliable information and promoting mutual understanding.
“Diplomacy opens doors, but the media helps to keep those doors open,” he said.
He added that treaties and government agreements alone could not sustain long-term relations without public understanding and engagement.
Madubike also called for more reporting on the human dimension of the partnership, including the experiences of Nigerian students, entrepreneurs and traders in China, as well as Chinese investors, engineers and business operators in Nigeria.
He said credible information about markets, regulations, infrastructure, incentives and investment opportunities could encourage business partnerships and strengthen economic ties.
China Addresses Trade Imbalance and Retail Competition
The discussions also focused on the trade imbalance between Nigeria and China, Nigeria’s dependence on imports and complaints from Nigerian traders that some Chinese businesses were competing with them in the retail market.
Xu acknowledged the concerns but argued that clearer regulatory boundaries between wholesale and retail operations would provide a more practical solution than excluding Chinese businesses from Nigeria.
He said the Chinese Embassy had engaged Chinese traders, market authorities and other stakeholders to explore possible solutions.
Xu also advocated a shift from a relationship dominated by trade in finished goods towards greater Chinese investment in Nigerian manufacturing.
He said Chinese companies could establish more factories and production facilities in Nigeria, creating jobs, transferring skills and supporting industrial development.
According to Xu, bilateral trade reached approximately $28 billion in 2025, reflecting the scale of economic engagement between the two countries.
He also described China as Nigeria’s largest market for engineering contractors and second-largest export market, while identifying Nigeria as an important economic partner for China in Africa.
Xu highlighted China’s decision to extend zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations, including Nigeria.
He said the policy could create opportunities for Nigerian agricultural products, including sesame, cashew nuts and cocoa, to gain greater access to the Chinese market, subject to applicable rules of origin, inspection and quarantine requirements.
He urged Nigerian businesses to improve product quality, strengthen branding and take advantage of opportunities in China.
Embassy Says It Will Not Shield Illegal Miners
Illegal mining involving some Chinese nationals in Nigeria was another major issue raised during the meeting.
Xu distinguished between law-abiding Chinese businesses and individuals involved in illegal activities, insisting that violations of Nigerian law were unacceptable.
He said the Chinese Embassy and relevant authorities were cooperating with Nigerian institutions by providing information and supporting efforts to identify Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in illegal mining.
According to him, the Chinese government would not shield individuals found to have violated Nigerian laws.
Participants called for deeper Chinese investment in manufacturing, technology transfer, industrial development and local value addition, arguing that bilateral cooperation should generate broader benefits for Nigeria beyond infrastructure projects and imports of finished goods.
They emphasised the importance of local production, employment, skills development and technological advancement in strengthening the partnership.
Xu Promises Greater Media Engagement
On media freedom, Nigerian executives reiterated that editorial independence remained fundamental to journalism and that disagreements over sensitive diplomatic issues should be addressed through dialogue, clarification and the right of reply.
In his concluding remarks, Xu described Nigerian media organisations as “partners and friends, not enemies”.
He offered to strengthen engagement through professional exchanges, training programmes, seminars, media delegations and other institutional initiatives.
Xu said Chinese authorities would continue to facilitate opportunities for Nigerian journalists to visit China and gain a deeper understanding of its society, culture, economy and political system.
He also invited participating media organisations to propose joint initiatives, including media programmes, publications and professional exchange projects.
The engagement underscored the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria-China relations, particularly the need to balance diplomatic sensitivities with editorial independence and responsible journalism.
Participants stressed that sustained dialogue, accurate reporting and stronger people-to-people engagement would be essential to building mutual trust and ensuring that the bilateral relationship delivers greater benefits to both countries.
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