NGO Condemns Misrepresentation Of Andy Liu’s Visit To First Lady

A non-governmental organisation, SINOAFRIK Media Documentation and Development Network, has expressed concern over the misrepresentation of a recent visit by Andy Liu, the head of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, to the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu.

In a press statement signed by its executive director, Austin Maho, on Tuesday, the group  said the portrayal of the visit as a diplomatic engagement between Taiwan and Nigeria is misleading and does not reflect the realities of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

SINOAFRIK stated that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China, and the Taipei Trade Office in Lagos operates as a non-diplomatic entity. It stressed that Nigeria does not recognise any entity referred to as the “Taiwanese government.”

“Any implication of bilateral collaboration with such an entity is seen as contradictory to Nigeria’s longstanding foreign policy, which has been grounded in mutual respect for the One-China Principle since its adoption in 1971,” the statement said.

The One-China Principle asserts that there is only one China, with Taiwan being an integral part. It recognises the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. This position is reinforced by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 from 1971, alongside historical documents such as the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation, the statement said.

SINOAFRIK reiterated that the One-China Principle has been the foundation of Nigeria-China relations for over five decades.

“At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, Nigeria and China elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, where Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China Principle and its opposition to any form of Taiwan independence,” the statement noted.

The organisation pointed out that the People’s Republic of China has been a vital partner in Nigeria’s development, contributing significantly to key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, technology, trade, and human capital development. It said Nigeria is China’s second-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding $20 billion annually.

SINOAFRIK urged the Nigerian media and the public to avoid terms like “Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria,” “Taiwanese government,” or “Embassy of Taiwan in Nigeria,” as these terms imply the existence of “two Chinas” and are inconsistent with Nigeria’s foreign policy.

“The media must uphold objectivity, fairness, and accuracy in their reporting,” the statement added.