In a statement released on Thursday, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria responded to a bill introduced in the US Congress that linked alleged illegal mining by Chinese nationals to terrorism financing and religious violence in the country.
The embassy said the accusations were false and expressed strong dissatisfaction, stressing that Chinese nationals and companies operating in Nigeria are required to fully comply with local laws and regulations.
“We express our firm opposition and strong dissatisfaction, and request that the relevant media immediately cease spreading such false information,” the statement said. “The Chinese Embassy has consistently required Chinese companies and citizens overseas to strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the host country.”
According to the embassy, the vast majority of Chinese mining companies in Nigeria have maintained exemplary compliance with Nigerian laws, and in many cases, they have been victims of terrorist activities themselves.
The statement also highlighted the positive contributions of Chinese enterprises, noting that they actively support local communities, protect the environment, create jobs, and promote bilateral cooperation. The embassy pledged continued collaboration with Nigerian authorities to strengthen governance in the mining sector.
The development adds a diplomatic layer to ongoing discussions over foreign involvement, security, and regulation in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
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