Riley Moore, United States lawmaker, has slammed China for cautioning Washington against a proposed military intervention in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, declaring that Beijing has no authority to order America’s foreign policy direction.

In a shared post via his official X account on Tuesday, Moore threw his full support behind US President Donald Trump, commending his stance on protecting persecuted Christians in Nigeria and defending global religious freedom.

“President Trump is absolutely right to stand up for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring horrific persecution, and even martyrdom, for their faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” Moore said.

The US lawmaker also accused China of hypocrisy, citing its own record of human rights violations and persecution of religious minorities.

“China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured by a Communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and throws ethnic minorities into concentration camps,” Moore added.

Moore’s remarks followed China’s cautioning to Washington against what it termed “unwarranted interference” in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

CEOAFRICA reports that the Chinese government had on Tuesday, condemned Trump’s threat to take military action to protect Christian communities in Nigeria, describing it as intimidation and a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and development priorities.

“As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on a development path suited to its national realities. We oppose any country’s interference in another’s internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights, and we reject the use of sanctions or force as threats,” Mao stated.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has also responded to Trump’s remarks, urging the US president to respect the country’s sovereignty and refrain from deploying American forces to Nigerian soil.