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China

BREAKING: Stay out of Nigeria’s Internal Affairs, China warns US

by Folarin Kehinde November 4, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

China has voiced strong support for Nigeria following threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump to launch military action over alleged persecution of Christians in the West African nation.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Beijing stands firmly with Nigeria as it continues on its chosen path of development.

“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government as it leads its people on a development path suited to its national conditions,”

“China opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to meddle in other countries’ internal affairs or to threaten them with sanctions or the use of force,” Ning said.

Ning’s remarks followed comments by Trump over the weekend in which he accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop the “killing of Christians” and warned of possible U.S. military intervention.

“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the United States will immediately halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well move into that now disgraced country, guns blazing, to wipe out the Islamic terrorists committing these atrocities,” Trump had declared in a fiery post on Truth Social.

He added that he had directed the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action,” promising any strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of systematic persecution of Christians. Responding to the U.S. leader’s comments, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and mutual coexistence.

November 4, 2025 0 comments

Africa & World

Fraud: China sentences former agricultural minister to death

by Folarin Kehinde September 29, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

China’s former agricultural minister was sentenced to death on Sunday on corruption charges, with a two-year reprieve, a court statement said.

Tang Renjian accepted cash and property bribes totalling more than 268 million yuan ($38 million) between 2007 and 2024, the People’s Court of Changchun in northeast Jilin province said in a statement.

The court ruled that the bribes “caused particularly severe losses to the interests of the state and the people, and therefore warranted the death penalty”, adding that Tang had confessed to his crimes and expressed remorse.

Tang’s sentencing is the latest in President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-graft campaign that has brought down several high-level figures.

Supporters of Xi’s anti-corruption drive say the campaign promotes clean governance, but critics argue it provides the president with the power to purge political rivals.

Tang previously served as governor of the northwestern province of Gansu, as well as the vice chairman of southern autonomous region of Guangxi.

His downfall follows similar graft investigations into former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe.

Li was removed from office just seven months into the job, and later expelled from the Chinese Communist Party for offences including suspected bribery, state media said.

His successor, Dong Jun, was also reportedly placed under investigation on corruption charges.

September 29, 2025 0 comments

Africa & World

Trade War: China Hits US Energy and Auto Industries with Fresh Tariffs

by Nelson Ugwuagbo February 4, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

China announced on Tuesday that it will impose a 15% tariff on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, responding to Washington’s recent decision to levy a 10% tariff on Chinese goods.

In a statement, China’s Ministry of Finance also revealed plans to introduce a 10% tariff on US crude oil, agricultural machinery, pickup trucks, and vehicles with large-displacement engines, such as sports cars.

Beijing described the move as a direct response to the “unilateral tariff hike” imposed by the United States over the weekend, accusing Washington of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

“The US tariff increase seriously violates WTO regulations, fails to address its own economic challenges, and disrupts normal trade cooperation between China and the United States,” the ministry stated.

The new Chinese tariffs are set to take effect next Monday.

The US had earlier announced sweeping tariff measures against major trade partners, including China, with an additional 10% duty imposed on Chinese imports on top of existing levies.

US President Donald Trump justified the tariffs as a measure to penalize countries that, he claimed, had failed to curb illegal migration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.

February 4, 2025 0 comments

Africa & World

It has potential to spread to countries’, WHO declares amid new COVID outbreak in China

by Folarin Kehinde January 5, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Following the recent outbreak of a new strain of Coronavirus in China, the World Health Organisation has declared the situation as a global health emergency.

The international organisation also expressed concern over the virus’ ability to spread to countries with weak health systems.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO’s director-general said the organisation’s committee on epidemic in an almost unanimous decision declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern(PHEIC).

According to Tedros, the decision which was not taken easily is as a result of happenings across countries of the world, not just China.

He said, “Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems and which are ill-prepared to deal with it.

“Let me be clear, this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China,” Tedros said.

Stating that the WHO is confident that China can contain the disease outbreak, Tedros highlighted recommendations which include the development of vaccines among others for controlling the incidents.

For the past few days China has been inundated with the growing incidents from the outbreak of the disease.

However, no fatality has been reported since the outbreak of the disease which has overwhelmed China hospitals and health workers.

January 5, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

JUST IN: “We Are Focused” – President Tinubu Defends Tough Economic Reforms

by Folarin Kehinde September 6, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s tough economic reforms, saying they are necessary to build a strong and prosperous Nigeria.

He made the remark while speaking to Nigerians living in China.

The Nigerian leader stressed the importance of discipline and commitment to national service, citing China’s disciplined society as an example for Nigerians to follow.

“We are focused, and I have a very good team,” President Tinubu said.

The President highlighted the impact of investments in China’s economy, assuring Nigerians that the Bank of Industry (BoI) is prepared to collaborate with them to leverage opportunities back home.

He added that Nigerians need to be good ambassadors of their nation.

President Tinubu also pledged to replicate China’s infrastructure in Nigeria, providing good schools, constant electricity, and water supply. He therefore urged Nigerians to contribute to building the nation.

He said, “One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hand to build our nation.”

Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations and pledged support for Nigeria’s 4Ds initiative. He requested the President’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be officially recognized as a native English-speaking nation, which would open up job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in China.

The event marked the end of President Tinubu’s successful visit to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and participated in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

September 6, 2024 0 comments

Headlines Opinion

Buhari’s Infrastructural Development: At What Cost and Whose Expense?

by Leading Reporters February 19, 2023

written by Leading Reporters

Nigeria has suffered perennial infrastructural deficiency. From bad road to a near comatose rail transport system. Former President Goodluck Jonathan started what looked like a revolution in the rail sector. When President Muhammadu Buhari took over the mantle of leadership in 2015, He placed priority on infrastructural development, with a special interest in the railway, airport and road sectors. Under his administration, the transport sector (Road, rail and airport) gulped more loans than every other sector and every other government since the advent of the current democratic experience.

There are currently ongoing road projects across many parts of Nigeria. There is as well the 2nd Niger Bridge within the South East axis. There are massive road constructions within the Southern and Northern axis in Nigeria. As beautiful as all these seem, the question Nigerians have failed to ask is the cost of borrowing to fund these projects. Are these loans worthwhile? Are they deployed for the same purpose for which they borrowed? What are the terms and conditions of these loans? What are the sovereign collateral and guarantees? Are the projects for which they were borrowed feasible to bring enough returns to repay these loans? What are the qualities and life spans of these infrastructures that we are obtaining loans for? What effect do these untamed loans have on the economy at least within the medium and long terms? These are questions every patriotic Nigeria should genuinely ask.

Unlike under previous governments when construction giant like Julius Berger was majorly patronized by the Federal Government, China construction companies are currently dominating construction projects in Nigeria – from rail to road, from airport to other infrastructures. The reason for this shift is not far-fetched. Most of the funding for these infrastructures is a “China Loan”. China would not avail of a loan that would benefit other construction companies. Thus, Chinese Government-owned companies are having a field day in the construction sector in Nigeria.

President Buhari is currently the Nigeria President with the highest loan-take. While many praise him for several infrastructural projects across Nigeria, others hold the view that the president’s penchant for loans may plunge Nigeria into collecting loans that may never easily be paid back. China’s loan largesse is not limited to Nigeria. Report has it that so many other countries have stretched to China for loans, nay, for more loans. Loans are collected with collateral and other forms of securities and guarantees. Nigerians see roads and other infrastructures, but most Nigerians do not know the terms under which those loans were given to Nigeria.

President Buhari APC-led government does not seem to understand jack about wealth creation or how the abundant human and natural resources Nigeria has been endowed with could be optimized for national growth and development. The floral and faunas, the enchanting landscapes and rocks in the North Central region, the green allures of the South-South lands that stretch from land to sea, including the bodies of water that dot up that region, the historical monuments that could create research and historical tourism among countless other touristic elements lay waste without any efforts at exploring and exploiting them as major revenue earner. What about the arable land that stretches from North to South? Despite claims of food sufficiency, Nigeria still imports most of the food it consumes. Where locally-made foods are available, the prices tower higher than the reach of an average Nigerian. Truly, things have fallen apart and all thanks to clueless leadership that have continued to plague Nigeria since her independence.

President Muhammadu Buhari is an expert in negotiating and collecting loans. His advisers seem to always urge him on. Former Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi stood out as one of President Buhari’s ministers who saw China loan as the be-all and did not seem to remember that loans are loans and are repayable. President Buhari believes the only way he could out-perform his predecessors is by collecting more and more loans for infrastructures. Today in APC, infrastructural development have become a campaign slogan. They tell Nigeria to embrace roads, and rails that have been built for them. They however fail to tell Nigerians that their future have been sold for loans.

One of the sectors that has engulfed many loans is the railway facility. Amaechi has severally and shamelessly portrayed the inevitability of loans for more rail tracks, including running a rail track from Nigeria to the Republic of Niger at no cost to the government and the people of the Republic of Niger. But any right-thinking Nigeria knows that the rail sector is not viable enough to repay the massive loan that has so far been obtained from China. I do not think that the proceeds from rail transport will ever be enough to run the overhead costs, let alone repay the loans collected to build them.

Only time will tell the damage these suspicious loans have dealt to the economy of Nigeria. Only time may prove that these loans and the arrangement behind them were laden with corruption, and manipulation for purpose of self-aggrandizement. Some of these loans were taken to be stolen. Time will tell.

But do these loans have a long-term effect on the collective fortune of Nigeria and Nigerians? It does. A disastrous effect. Creative leaders are not those who resort to loans to bridge infrastructural deficiencies. But they are people who optimize resources for growth and development. Creative leadership provides an enabling environment that attracts the private sector to take infrastructural development. What President Muhammadu Buhari, his aides and ministers have succeeded in doing in the name of infrastructural development is simply mortgaging the future of Nigerians, including an unborn generation. I am not enthused by several roads, rails and bridges built with Chinese loans, I am rather worried that Nigerians will pay dearly for the greed of a few who sold out this country by collecting loans for which their repayments do not look feasible. …. To be continued.

Light I. Shedrack is a communication strategist, public issues analyst and an SME ideation specialist. He writes from Abuja and can be reached via lightsheddie26@gmail.com

February 19, 2023 0 comments

Headlines

Fear of Recolonization Grips Nigerians as China Sets up ‘Chinese Police’ Unit in Nigeria

by Folarin Kehinde October 19, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Chinese government has opened a network of secret and underground police stations in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

China has opened secret police stations in Nigeria and over 20 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa. They used the excuse of efforts to tackle the increasing criminal activities of its citizens abroad to carry out this illegitimate act.

These findings were contained in an investigative statement titled, ‘110 Overseas Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild.’

In an investigation carried out by Safeguard Defender, they revealed that, “Rather than cooperating with local authorities in the full respect of territorial sovereignty, it prefers…to cooperate with (United Front-linked) overseas ‘NGOs’ or ‘civil society associations’ across the ﬁve continents, setting up an alternative policing and judicial system within third countries, and directly implicating those organisations in the illegal methods employed to pursue ‘fugitives.”

This activity by the Chinese government is a blatant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria and the other nations where the Chinese government has set up those secret police stations.

Apart from Nigeria, other African nations China has set up its international ‘police stations’ are Lesotho and Tanzania, the report disclosed.

As part of a massive nationwide campaign to combat fraud and telecommunication fraud by Chinese citizens living abroad, Chinese authorities claimed that from April 2021 to July 2022, 230,000 nationals had been, “persuaded to return” to face criminal proceedings in China, explained the report.

October 19, 2022 0 comments

Africa & World Headlines

China Suffers Severe Drought After Massive Heatwave Strikes Country

by Folarin Kehinde August 25, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

Severe drought has hit China exacerbated by a record heatwave has spread across half of China and reached the normally frigid Tibetan Plateau, according to official data released ahead of more searing temperatures on Thursday.

The world’s second-largest economy has experienced over 70 days of heatwaves, flash floods and droughts — phenomena that scientists say are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.

Southern China has recorded its longest continuous period of high temperatures since records began more than 60 years ago, the agriculture ministry said this week.

Experts have said the intensity, scope and duration of the heatwave could make it one of the worst recorded in global history.

A chart from the National Climate Centre showed Wednesday that swathes of southern China — including the Tibetan Plateauwere experiencing “severe” to “extraordinary” drought conditions.

The worst-affected area the Yangtze river basin, stretching from coastal Shanghai to Sichuan province in China’s southwest is home to over 370 million people and contains several manufacturing hubs including the megacity of Chongqing.

The China Meteorological Administration predicted continued high temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in Chongqing and the provinces of Sichuan and Zhejiang Thursday.

But some regions gained relief from the heatwave. Parts of southwestern Sichuan were battered by heavy rains overnight, causing the evacuation of almost 30,000 people, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

And in the southeast, Typhoon Ma-on made landfall in coastal Guangdong province and Hong Kong Thursday morning.

“High temperatures have basically been alleviated in the regions of south China, Jiangxi and Anhui,” the meteorological administration said.

“But high temperatures will continue for the next three days in regions including the Sichuan basin and provinces surrounding Shanghai.”

SEVERE THREAT

China’s State Council on Wednesday announced a 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) subsidy to support rice farmers experiencing drought conditions, which authorities have warned pose a “severe threat” to this year’s autumn harvest.

China produces more than 95 percent of the rice, wheat and maize it consumes, but a reduced harvest could mean increased demand for imports in the world’s most populous country — putting further pressure on global supplies already strained by the conflict in Ukraine.

Wednesday’s CCTV evening news broadcast showed trucks supplying villagers who lacked drinking and agricultural water in rural Sichuan and Chongqing.

These regions have also been battling wildfires since last week, exacerbated by high temperatures and water scarcity.

Livestock owners have fared badly, with Chongqing authorities pledging emergency measures to protect pig farms and a Sichuan farmer’s tearful plea going viral after she said all her chickens had died due to the heatwave and power cuts.

Some Chongqing residents complained on social media about queueing for hours in sweltering heat for compulsory mass testing required in the wake of a Covid outbreak.

In parts of Sichuan and Chongqing, locals seeking cooler temperatures have taken to sleeping in car parks and subway stations due to daily power cuts.

Temperatures as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) have led multiple Chinese provinces to impose industrial power cuts, as cities struggle to cope with a surge in demand for electricity.

Record low water levels on the Yangtze River have also put pressure on the region’s hydropower generators, with the National Energy Administration pledging Wednesday to make up the shortfall by ramping up coal production.

Recent heat broke records in Sichuan, where one county recorded a temperature of 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) Wednesday.

August 25, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Another War Looms As US Angers China Over Taiwan

by Folarin Kehinde August 3, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

The speaker of the United States House of Congress, Nancy Pelosi, yesterday visited Taiwan despite warnings from China that a visit to Taiwan is a threat to China’s territorial integrity.

Pelosi is the first sitting speaker of the house to travel to Taiwan in 25 years and Beijing has threatened “serious consequences” over her visit to the island, which China claims as its own.

The independence of Taiwan has been contested for decades. As at today, only 14 countries recognize it as an independent country, even the United Nations consider the island as an independent province of China.

China is planning to ramp up large-scale military drills around the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which began as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi flew into Taipei for a visit that has angered Beijing.

The unprecedented six days of military exercises began on Tuesday night after Pelosi landed on the island, featuring J-20 stealth fighter jets and test firing of conventional missiles, according to the Global Times tabloid.

On Wednesday morning, it announced a series of trade restrictions, including a ban on sand exports and the import of certain foods.

They military exercises are a “stern deterrence” against the United States over Taiwan, and a “serious warning” for supporters of Taiwan independence, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesman at the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement, according to the Global Times.

China Central Television (CCTV) aired video that showed J-20 stealth fighter jets participating in the Tuesday night drills.

On Wednesday, the Eastern Theater Command said a multi-force exercise involving the Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, Strategic Support Force and Joint Logistics Support Force took place in the air and sea to the north, southwest and southeast of Taiwan. They practised various exercises, including simulated sea and land attacks.

Many experts have said these events looked like what happened before the war between Russia and Ukraine took place, calling the move by Pelosi as careless and arrogant in the face of multiple global crisis.

August 3, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Here is a list of countries that remain untouched by Covid with zero cases so far

by Leading Reporters February 19, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The world is battling the deadly coronavirus pandemic for over two years now. However, there are a few countries that remain completely untouched by the pandemic.

The WHO has released a list that shows a couple of countries that have zero cases of the virus. Most of these countries and territories are islands in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Here is the list:

Micronesia: This country is spread across the western Pacific Ocean comprising more than 600 islands. However, Micronesia is made up of 4 island states: Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap.

Nauru: Located in Oceania, the country features a coral reef and white-sand beaches. As per the WHO list, nearly 68 people per 100 are fully vaccinated here.

Niue: It is a small island nation in the South Pacific ocean. Over 79 people per 100 are fully vaccinated against Covid here.

Pitcairn Islands: This comprises the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno. It is a small volcanic region situated in the South Pacific at latitude 25.04 south and longitude 130.06 west. 74 people per 100 are fully vaccinated here.

Saint Helena: Known as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile and death, this is a remote volcanic outpost in the South Atlantic Ocean. WHO claims that 58.16 persons per 100 are fully vaccinated here.

Tokelau: Located near New Zealand, this place has a single airport. It only has a population of about 1,500 people.

Tuvalu: This is a group of three reef islands and six atolls. Tuvalu closed its borders and mandated quarantine. As per WHO, nearly 50 people are fully vaccinated per 100 population.

Turkmenistan and North Korea have also been listed as being free of the deadly coronavirus. These countries have not yet acknowledged any case officially.

The WHO list also mentions countries that have been the worst hit by the deadly virus. The United States tops the list with 77,521,589 cases, followed by India with 42,780,235 cases.

February 19, 2022 0 comments

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