Amid the global debate on Taiwan’s status as an independent nation, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, on Monday said China does not object to countries developing relations with Taiwan.

Rather, according to her, the Chinese Government challenges the recognition of Taiwan as an independent state by certain state and non-state actors within the international community.

Following the Chinese Civil War, the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan and established a separate government in 1949.

Taiwan has operated as a self-governing democracy and seeks international recognition as an independent country, yet China considers it a breakaway province. A few countries regard it as an independent state regardless.

Speaking at a courtesy visit to The Guardian Newspaper’s office in Lagos on Monday, Yuqing said recognising Taiwan as a nation was against its One-China policy which suggests that Taiwan is a part of China.

“The One China policy has been recognised by most of the countries in the world, including all the countries that have diplomatic relations with China, like Nigeria,” said Yuqing.

“We do not oppose that Nigeria and other countries develop, to develop trade and economic relations and culture exchanges with Taiwan. What we strongly oppose is that those countries encourage the so-called Taiwan independence, which is our standards.”

While urging Nigerians and Nigerian media houses to refrain from recognising Taiwan as an independent country, Yuqing likened the case to countries supporting the secessionist agitations of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Yuqing said the Chinese Government will not allow the media in the country to support IPOB agitations.

“Like the Biafra independence movement, for example. If someone supports the independence of Biafra in Chinese media, we won’t let that happen.”

The Consul General noted that China is not competing with the United States of America in establishing its sphere of influence in Nigeria and other African countries.

“As we usually say, the Pacific is big enough for both China and the United States. So, Africa as a continent is also big enough for both China and the United States to coexist in peace,” said Yuqing.

“What we are doing now is to promote relationships, the friendship and cooperation between our two countries.”