An audience mainly journalists and university undergraduates gathered yesterday at a Media Salon on “One-China Principle”, in Abuja organised by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.
By Stanley Onyekwere
In a strategic move to strengthen diplomatic ties and clarify its core sovereign interests, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria hosted a Media Salon , engaging top journalists and editors from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The forum, held Thursday at the China General Chamber of Commerce, served as a high-level platform for Chinese diplomats and Nigerian policy experts to emphasize the historical and legal foundations of the “One-China Principle” amidst a complex global landscape.
Addressing the gathering that included journalists and university undergraduates, Dong Hairong, Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, provided a firm clarification on the Taiwan question.
She described Taiwan as an “inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times” and cautioned against the “deceptive propaganda” of separatist elements.
Counselor Dong highlighted the stark contrast in bilateral importance between Beijing and Taipei, noting that while China remains a reliable partner with an annual trade volume with Nigeria exceeding $28 billion, the Taiwan region’s trade with Nigeria stands at approximately $1.6 billion.
”In Taiwan-related news coverage, erroneous expressions such as referring to Taiwan as a ‘country’ or using the so-called ‘Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria’ must be strictly prohibited,” Dong stated,
She urged journalists to maintain objective reporting to safeguard the China-Nigeria friendship.
The salon featured insights from prominent Nigerian intellectuals who explored the nuances of international relations.
Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Center for China Studies (CCS), noted that the One-China Principle is a “reality rooted in the core fabric of China’s sovereignty,” warning that attempts to violate it would incur “unmistakable costs.”
Adding a layer of diplomatic depth, Prof. Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, distinguished between the One-China Principle (Beijing’s stance) and the One-China Policy adopted by many Western nations.
Prof. Amadi, a former foreign affairs advisor, acknowledged the “strategic ambiguity” some nations use to engage Taiwan economically while recognizing Beijing diplomatically.
However, he prescribed a clear path for African nations
aligning with the African Union’s stance on keeping territories intact, maintaining no formal diplomatic engagement with Taiwan, and ensuring any economic interactions do not run afoul of international law regarding sovereign relationships.
The event underscored the consensus reached in 1992, which remains the political foundation for cross-strait relations.
Most speakers reminded the audience that the United Nations expelled the representatives of the Taiwan authorities in 1971, recognizing the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China.
As the salon concluded, the consensus among the speakers was clear that for Nigeria and the broader African continent, the path forward involves a firm adherence to the One-China Principle, viewing it as a prerequisite for the continued “win-win” results and massive infrastructure development fostered by Chinese cooperation.
