China Reaffirms One-China Principle, Criticizes Taiwan’s Foreign Engagements and Calls for Media Caution in Nigeria

China has strongly reiterated its One China principle, insisting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory, while criticizing recent international engagements involving Taiwan’s leadership and foreign media interactions, including visits by Nigerian journalists to Taipei-linked institutions.

The remarks were made during a policy briefing that combined historical arguments, diplomatic assertions, and warnings directed at international media over Taiwan-related reporting.

At the centre of the statement was the recent overseas diplomatic activity of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, including a visit to Eswatini where he met members of the royal household. Beijing described the visit as part of efforts to expand Taiwan’s international presence and advance separatist objectives. Taiwan, however, continues to operate its foreign engagements as part of its self-governing system, maintaining unofficial relations with a limited number of countries.

Chinese officials also raised concerns over recent interactions between a small group of Nigerian journalists and Taiwan’s external affairs representatives, as well as discussions around strengthening Taiwan’s trade presence in Nigeria. Beijing argued that such engagements challenge established diplomatic arrangements between China and countries that recognize the One China principle.

China’s position is rooted in what it describes as centuries of historical governance over Taiwan. Officials cited early administrative links dating back to imperial China, arguing that the island has long been under Chinese jurisdiction in historical records.

Speaking at an occasion in Abuja, the Counselor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria Ms.Dong Hairong’s speech. referenced key Second World War-era agreements, including the Cairo Declaration (1943) and the Potsdam Proclamation (1945), which stated that territories taken by Japan, including Taiwan, should be returned to China following Japan’s defeat. Beijing maintains that Japan’s surrender and subsequent acceptance of these terms legally confirmed Taiwan’s restoration to Chinese sovereignty.

She said following the Chinese civil war and the establishment of two rival administrations in 1949, the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) asserted itself as the sole legal authority representing China. The opposing government retreated to Taiwan, leading to the long-standing political separation across the Taiwan Strait.

She also cited United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 (1971) as a decisive legal foundation for its position. The resolution recognized the People’s Republic of China as “the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations” and expelled representatives of Chiang Kai-shek’s administration.

She argued that this resolution establishes the One China principle in international law and leaves no room for “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.” According to Beijing, more than 180 countries—including Nigeria—maintain diplomatic relations with China based on this framework.

She reaffirmed that national reunification remains a central long-term objective, describing it as part of the broader “national rejuvenation” strategy.

She accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of promoting “de-Sinicization” and separatist policies, while Taiwan continues to insist on its democratic governance and separate political system.

She noted that despite political tensions, policies encouraging cross-strait exchanges in trade, culture, education, and youth engagement are in place. She also referenced past evacuations of Taiwan residents from crisis zones with Chinese diplomatic assistance as evidence of practical cooperation between both sides.

The briefing placed strong emphasis on Nigeria’s relationship with China, noting that diplomatic ties established in 1971 were built on Nigeria’s recognition of the One China principle.

She stated that Nigeria has consistently affirmed that it recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China and considers Taiwan part of Chinese territory. This position, it said, forms the foundation of bilateral relations.

While also highlighting expanding economic cooperation with Nigeria and Africa, including infrastructure projects and trade initiatives aimed at strengthening South–South relations. Recent developments include Chinese-supported regional institutions in Abuja and tariff reductions for African exports entering the Chinese market.

The Chinese official urged Nigerian journalists and international media organisations to adhere strictly to the One China framework in their reporting.

She cautioned against describing Taiwan in terms that imply statehood or recognizing official diplomatic titles inconsistent with Beijing’s position, warning that such portrayals could undermine diplomatic relations.

She said Beijing stance is based on historical records, international agreements, and United Nations resolutions, while Taiwan continues to operate as a self-governing entity with its own political system and foreign relations network.

A public affairs analyst and political strategist, Segun Showunmi, said Nigeria’s continued support for the One-China Principle remains central to the growth of diplomatic, economic and strategic relations between Nigeria and China in an increasingly multipolar world.

In a paper titled “The One-China Principle and the Next Phase of China–Nigeria Relations in an Emerging Multipolar World,” Showunmi argued that the relationship between both countries was built on mutual trust, sovereign respect and non-interference, principles he said have strengthened cooperation over the decades.

According to him, Nigeria formally embraced the One-China Principle in 1971 when diplomatic relations were established with Beijing, recognizing the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China.

He traced the roots of the policy to the 1949 Chinese revolution led by Mao Zedong, noting that successive Chinese leaders transformed the doctrine into a central pillar of China’s foreign policy and international engagement.

Showunmi stated that Nigeria’s consistency on the issue created confidence between both nations, resulting in significant Chinese investments in infrastructure and strategic sectors across the country.

He highlighted projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna Railway, Lagos–Ibadan Railway, airport terminal expansions, road construction, telecommunications development, power projects and the Lekki Deep Sea Port as examples of Chinese-backed interventions that have contributed to Nigeria’s infrastructure modernization.

According to him, China has emerged as a major economic alternative for African countries seeking development partnerships without stringent political conditions, adding that Nigeria has also benefited from expanded trade opportunities, technology transfer, educational cooperation and diplomatic coordination in multilateral institutions.

The analyst, however, argued that the next phase of China–Nigeria relations must move beyond symbolic diplomatic solidarity to a more structured and strategic partnership capable of supporting industrialization and long-term development.

He called for the establishment of a China–Nigeria Strategic Economic Council to coordinate industrial policy, energy transition planning, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.

Showunmi also urged the Nigerian government to negotiate stronger local content provisions in Chinese-funded projects to ensure the development of indigenous engineering expertise and domestic supply chains.

On his part, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Ave Maria University, Prof. Sam Amadi, urged African states to carefully calibrate their foreign policy on the One-China question, warning against formal diplomatic engagement with Taiwan while advocating continued trade within defined limits.

Speaking at a media salon on the One-China Principle held at the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Amadi said the distinction between the One-China principle and One-China policy is often misunderstood in international diplomacy.

“The One-China principle and One-China policy are clear, but difficult to operationalise,” he said, adding that while the terms appear similar, “from a diplomatic perspective, they look the same, but they’re not exactly the same.”

The former foreign affairs adviser under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua explained that the One-China principle, as advanced by Beijing, asserts that there is only one China, governed by the Communist Party of China, and that Taiwan is part of China under eventual reunification.

He noted that many countries adopt what he described as “strategic ambiguity,” allowing them to recognize Beijing officially while still maintaining informal economic and trade relations with Taiwan.

“The problem has always been: how do you acknowledge Beijing’s claim and deal with the real-world situation of engaging with Taiwan?” he said.

Amadi argued that Africa’s traditional emphasis on territorial integrity aligns broadly with China’s position, but acknowledged that modern diplomatic and economic realities complicate strict interpretations.

“Africa has a history with keeping territories intact… internal disagreement should not be taken to represent separate statehood,” he said.

However, he warned against what he termed “sovereignty for rent,” describing situations where diplomatic recognition is exchanged for economic or political incentives.

“One of the things Taiwan is doing is what we call sovereignty for rent—you pay, you acknowledge our sovereignty,” he said.

Outlining policy options, Amadi said African states currently fall into different camps ranging from full alignment with Beijing to mixed and ambiguous engagement strategies.

“My position is that African countries should never have diplomatic engagement with Taiwan, but should calibrate trade agreements carefully,” he stated, emphasizing the need for consistency with the One-China framework while acknowledging global economic realities.