China on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China principle, insisting that Taiwan is not a sovereign nation but an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

The position was reiterated at a Media Salon held in Abuja by the Centre for China Studies and the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research with the theme: “Understanding the One-China Principle and Its Role in Deepening China–Nigeria Strategic Relations.”

Speaking at the event, Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Dong Hairong, said recent developments involving Taiwan showed the need for greater international understanding of the Taiwan question and China’s territorial position.

She cited the recent visit of Taiwan regional leader, Lai Ching-te, to Eswatini, as well as a reported engagement between some Nigerian journalists and Taiwanese officials, as examples of what she described as attempts to advance separatist narratives.

According to her, such developments misrepresent historical and legal realities surrounding Taiwan.

“Taiwan has been an inalienable part of Chinese territory since ancient times,” Dong said.

She explained that Chinese governments had exercised administrative authority over Taiwan for centuries and argued that international agreements reached after the Second World War recognised that territories seized by Japan, including Taiwan, should be returned to China.

“Taiwan has never been a country, was never one and will never be,” she added.

The envoy maintained that the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 made Beijing the sole legitimate government representing all of China, including Taiwan.

She also referenced the 1971 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, saying it formally recognised only one Chinese seat at the UN and affirmed the One-China principle internationally.

Dong accused pro-independence forces in Taiwan of promoting separatist activities capable of threatening peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

She, however, said China remained committed to peaceful reunification and continued economic cooperation with Taiwan while safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Resolving the Taiwan question and achieving complete reunification is the shared aspiration of all Chinese people,” she said.

The Chinese diplomat also commended Nigeria for consistently supporting the One-China principle since both countries established diplomatic relations in 1971.

According to her, Nigeria reaffirmed that position during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China in September 2024, where both countries issued a joint statement opposing all forms of Taiwan independence.

“It is precisely on the basis of the One-China principle that China-Nigeria relations have grown into a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Dong stated.

She urged Nigerian media organisations to avoid descriptions suggesting Taiwan is a sovereign state, insisting that references implying diplomatic recognition contradict Nigeria’s official policy position.

“We sincerely expect all sectors of Nigerian society to firmly abide by the One-China principle and resolutely respect China’s core interests and territorial integrity,” she said.

Also speaking, Convener of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi, argued that Nigeria should deepen strategic cooperation with China, noting that Beijing had emerged as a major global economic and technological power.

Showunmi said Nigeria stood to gain more from stronger ties with China than from separate engagements with Taiwan.

“In another 100 years, what Nigeria will gain from a firm relationship with China, Taiwan will not be able to provide in 1,000 years,” he said.

He described the global balance of power as rapidly changing and maintained that China had become an important force in shaping international politics and economic development.

In his remarks, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria and Director of the Centre for China-Africa Research, Prof. Ghali Ibrahim, said the One-China principle had gained broad global recognition because Taiwan lacked the legal status of a sovereign state.

“Taiwan is not an independent sovereign entity but rather a territory that is part of China,” he said.

Ghali argued that international diplomacy and relations are fundamentally based on interactions between sovereign states, insisting that Taiwan does not meet that threshold.

He also praised China for what he described as patience and restraint in pursuing peaceful reunification despite prolonged political tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

According to him, successive Chinese leaders had consistently promoted peaceful reunification under the “one country, two systems” framework instead of resorting to force.

The academic noted that 53 out of 54 African countries currently recognise the One-China principle, leaving Eswatini as the only African nation maintaining official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

He maintained that the issue of Taiwan remained central to China’s sovereignty and national identity, insisting that no major country would willingly surrender what it considers part of its territory.