The Chinese Consulate General in Lagos has urged Nigerian media organisations to exercise caution in their reporting on Taiwan, while Nigerian media executives have reaffirmed the importance of editorial independence, accuracy and responsible journalism.
The call was made during an engagement between Chinese diplomatic representatives and Nigerian media executives in Lagos, where discussions focused on the One-China Principle, Nigeria-China relations, bilateral trade, investment, media cooperation and the role of journalism in strengthening diplomatic ties.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Xu Fan, Director of Bilateral Relations and Commerce at the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos, said China’s position on Taiwan was based on historical records, international agreements and the diplomatic framework established after the Second World War.
Xu cited United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971, and Nigeria’s diplomatic recognition of the People’s Republic of China as important elements of Beijing’s position. He maintained that the One-China Principle remained a fundamental political basis for diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria.
He also referenced Nigeria’s reaffirmation of its commitment to the principle during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024.
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According to Xu, China does not oppose Nigerian media coverage of Taiwan but is concerned about descriptions that could suggest the island is a sovereign country separate from China.
The position generated a robust exchange with Nigerian media executives, who stressed that editorial independence remains central to journalism and that media organizations must retain the freedom to report issues in the public interest.
Participants emphasized that sensitive diplomatic matters should be addressed through dialogue, factual clarification and the right of reply, without compromising the fundamental principles of independent journalism.
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Nigeria-China Relations Beyond Diplomacy
The meeting was convened by Hon. Peter Ogbonna Eze, representative of Buffalo and Bay Media, and featured Ambassador Anderson Madubike, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, former Consul General in Shanghai, China, and former Chargé d’Affaires to South Africa.
In his opening remarks, Eze described Nigeria-China relations as a partnership that had expanded beyond traditional diplomatic engagement to include infrastructure, trade, education, technology, agriculture, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
He urged media organizations to report the relationship with accuracy, balance and adequate context, noting that informed public discourse was essential to ensuring that both countries benefited from their cooperation.
“The media does not merely report events. It shapes how societies understand countries, people, policies and opportunities,” Eze said.
Madubike, drawing on his diplomatic experience, described relations between Nigeria and China as robust, pointing to the extensive diplomatic, commercial and infrastructure connections between the two countries.
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He said the media played a critical role in sustaining international relationships by shaping public perceptions, providing reliable information and promoting mutual understanding.
“Diplomacy opens doors, but the media helps to keep those doors open,” he said.
The former diplomat stressed that treaties and government agreements alone could not sustain long-term relationships without public understanding and engagement.
He also encouraged journalists to pay greater attention to the human dimension of bilateral relations, including the experiences of Nigerian students, entrepreneurs and traders in China, as well as Chinese investors, engineers and business operators working in Nigeria.
According to him, accurate information about markets, regulations, infrastructure, incentives and investment opportunities could encourage business partnerships and strengthen economic cooperation.
Trade Imbalance and Competition in Nigeria’s Retail Market
The meeting also examined concerns surrounding the trade imbalance between Nigeria and China, Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods and complaints from Nigerian traders that some Chinese businesses were competing directly with local operators in the retail market.
Responding to the concerns, Xu acknowledged the challenges but argued that clearer regulatory boundaries between wholesale and retail operations would offer 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 to the concerns raised.
Xu also called for a shift in Nigeria-China economic relations from a model largely driven by trade in finished products towards greater Chinese investment in local manufacturing and production.
He argued that Chinese companies could establish more factories and production facilities in Nigeria, creating employment opportunities, transferring technical skills and contributing to the country’s industrial development.
The diplomat disclosed that bilateral trade between Nigeria and China reached approximately $28 billion in 2025, describing the figure as evidence of the growing economic relationship between the two countries.
He further stated that China had become Nigeria’s largest market for engineering contractors and its second-largest export market, while Nigeria was an important trading partner for China in Africa.
The trade figures and market rankings were presented by the Chinese representative during the engagement.
China Highlights Zero-Tariff Opportunities for Nigerian Products
Xu also 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 such as sesame seeds, cashew nuts and cocoa to gain improved access to the Chinese market.
However, he noted that exporters would still need to comply with applicable rules of origin, product inspection and quarantine requirements.
The Chinese representative encouraged Nigerian businesses to improve product quality, strengthen branding and develop the capacity required to compete effectively in international markets.
Participants at the meeting called for more Chinese investment in manufacturing, technology transfer, industrial development and local value addition.
They argued that bilateral cooperation should deliver broader economic benefits to Nigeria beyond infrastructure projects and the importation of finished goods.
The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening domestic production, creating jobs, developing technical skills and promoting technological advancement as part of a more balanced economic partnership.
Illegal Mining: China Says Violations of Nigerian Law Are Unacceptable
Illegal mining involving some Chinese nationals in Nigeria also featured prominently during the discussions.
Xu distinguished between law-abiding Chinese businesses and individuals allegedly involved in illegal activities, insisting that violations of Nigerian law were unacceptable to the Chinese government and diplomatic authorities.
He said the Chinese Embassy and relevant authorities were cooperating with Nigerian institutions by providing information and supporting efforts to identify Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining.
According to Xu, the Chinese government would not shield individuals found to have violated Nigerian laws.
The issue underscored the importance of cooperation between both countries in enforcing regulations, addressing illegal economic activities and ensuring that foreign businesses operating in Nigeria comply with local laws.
Participants also emphasized the need for stronger regulatory oversight and responsible business practices to ensure that bilateral investment contributes positively to Nigeria’s economic development.
Chinese Consulate Offers Media Training and Professional Exchanges
Beyond trade and diplomatic issues, the engagement explored opportunities for closer cooperation between Chinese diplomatic institutions and Nigerian media organizations.
Xu described Nigerian media organizations as “partners and friends, not enemies” and expressed the Chinese side’s willingness to strengthen professional engagement with journalists.
He offered opportunities for professional exchanges, training programmes, seminars, media delegations and other institutional initiatives designed to improve understanding between both countries.
The Chinese diplomat said Chinese authorities would continue to facilitate opportunities for Nigerian journalists to visit China and gain a deeper understanding of its society, culture, economy, development and political system.
He also invited participating media organizations to propose practical collaborative initiatives, including media programmes, publications and professional exchange projects.
The offer comes amid broader discussions about how media cooperation can improve public understanding of international relations while providing journalists with opportunities to examine developments firsthand.
Editorial Independence Remains Central to Journalism
Despite the diplomatic engagement, Nigerian media executives maintained that editorial independence must remain a fundamental principle of journalism.
They stressed that journalists have a responsibility to report events accurately, question official positions where necessary and provide audiences with information that serves the public interest.
The discussions highlighted the need to balance diplomatic sensitivities with the media’s responsibility to scrutinize policies, explain competing viewpoints and provide context on complex international issues.
Participants agreed that dialogue between diplomatic institutions and media organizations could help resolve misunderstandings, improve communication and strengthen mutual trust, provided that such engagement respects the independence of the press.
The meeting ultimately reflected both the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria-China relations, particularly as the two countries seek to expand trade, investment, technological cooperation and people-to-people engagement.
With bilateral economic ties continuing to attract attention, participants emphasized that the long-term success of the relationship would depend not only on diplomatic agreements and commercial exchanges but also on transparency, credible information, local economic benefits and public confidence.
They maintained that sustained dialogue, balanced reporting and stronger engagement between the people of both countries would be essential to ensuring that Nigeria-China cooperation delivers meaningful benefits to both nations.
