The Chinese government on Thursday commended Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the “One-China” policy.

The One-China policy is a diplomatic principle that recognizes only one sovereign state under the name China, with the People’s Republic of China in Beijing acknowledged as the sole legal government of all of China, including Taiwan.

Speaking at a media workshop in Abuja, the Director of the Political Section at the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Zhu Songbo, expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s consistent diplomatic stance over the years, including the relocation of the Taipei Trade Office from Abuja.

He also urged the Nigerian media to actively resist narratives that undermine China’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan.

Zhu noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries on February 10, 1971, Nigeria has continued to support China’s position as the sole legitimate government representing the entire Chinese people.

He said, “On February 10, 1971, the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic relations and issued the Joint Communiqué between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating that ‘The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognises the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government representing the whole of the Chinese people’. Since then, Nigeria has adhered to the One-China principle.

China appreciates Nigeria’s efforts, including the relocation of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria out of Abuja in recent years. Last year, during President Tinubu and Foreign Minister Tuggar’s visit to China, both countries signed two joint statements reaffirming that ‘The Nigerian side firmly adheres to the One-China principle, acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any form of interference in the internal affairs of China and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.”

Zhu further urged Nigerian journalists to refrain from using expressions that, according to him, suggest the existence of “two Chinas,” such as “The Republic of China,” “The State of Taiwan,” “The Ambassador of Taiwan to Nigeria,” and “The Embassy of Taiwan to Nigeria.”

“These phrases imply the existence of ‘two Chinas,’ a concept strongly opposed by the Chinese government and people. We hope such expressions will not appear in Nigerian media reports,” he said.

He called on the Nigerian press to uphold objectivity, fairness, and truthfulness in reporting about China and to help foster a media environment that promotes peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Also speaking, the Director of the Centre for China Studies, Mr. Charles Onunaiju, emphasized the unity between China and Taiwan, describing them as “one people.”

He maintained that Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China policy is “sacrosanct,” adding that the Taipei Trade Office in Lagos exists purely for commercial purposes and does not have diplomatic status.

“The activities of the Taipei office at times undermine Nigeria’s One-China stance. Taiwan’s eventual return to China is not a matter of ‘if,’ but of history unfolding,” Onunaiju said.