In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
Understanding Nigeria’s Position On the “One China” Policy
— By Lawal Sale
…China is one of the countries that have been in full support of reforms in UN that would see Africa having two seats at the UN Security Council. Unarguably, China remains a technologically advanced country and a super power and Nigeria tends to gain more in maintaining a strong relationship with Beijing than with Taipei, Taiwan, they argue.
In January 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration made a significant diplomatic decision, directing the minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to inform the world that Nigeria would no longer recognise Taiwan as a country but as part of China
This policy – One China – was, therefore, documented in a memorandum of understanding, which the Nigerian government signed with the government of the People’s Republic of China. Before this development, political analysts observe that not many knew that there wass no difference between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan.
But the reality is that, for decades, Taiwan has been tricking the public in Nigeria and beyond with the name, “Republic of China”, which is not registered with the United Nations (UN).
Analysts further argue that there cannot be a Republic of China when there is the main China – the People’s Republic of China.
In the light of this, the present administration recognises that the “One China” policy implies that both mainland China and Taiwan are inalienable parts of a single sovereign China.
Hence, in 2017, Onyeama announced to the world during a news conference with the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Nigeria would no longer allow Taiwan to continue to operate in Nigeria as a country. According to Onyeama, Nigeria has communicated to Taiwan and it has agreed to move its foreign mission to Lagos as soon as possible.
“Taiwan will stop enjoying any privileges because it is not a country that is recognised under international law and under the position; we have taken decision to abide by One China Policy,” he said. He further reiterated that the steps taken were to right the wrong that one could not say how it came about.
According to Foreign minister Onyeama, Nigeria’s support of the “One China” policy means it recognises the People’s Republic of China as sole legal authority to be undertaken diplomacy and other bilateral relations with.
Further to the Nigeria-China agreement, the federal government sent circulars in to all ministries, departments and agencies, directing them not to recognise Taiwan as a country. “The Federal Government recognises that Beijing remains the only seat of government, representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory”, the circular states.
Observers note that Buhari’s decision is apt, recalling that Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have been in viable diplomatic relations for more than for 46 years. According to them, the two developing countries share many things in common, including Nigeria being the most populous in Africa and China, the most populous in the world.
Another importance of respecting the “One China” policy is that China is one of the countries that have been in full support of reforms in UN that would see Africa having two seats at the UN Security Council. Unarguably, China remains a technologically advanced country and a super power and Nigeria tends to gain more in maintaining a strong relationship with Beijing than with Taipei, Taiwan, they argue.
Similarly, China commands a considerable market for Nigeria’s oil exports and it has demonstrated high commitment towards keeping its position as the biggest buyer of Nigeria’s crude oil. Also, Chinese officials in Nigeria say there are more than 40 Chinese core investors and companies o
