12 January 2017

News Story: Nigeria closes Taiwan office in Abuja

ABUJA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Wednesday said it has ordered to shut down Taiwan's office in Abuja, the nation's capital, and to move its trade mission to Lagos.

Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama told journalists after reaffirming the One-China Policy at a joint press conference with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, that Taiwan will now have to function in Lagos with a skeletal staff.

"Taiwan will stop enjoying any privileges because it is not a country that is recognized under international law and under the position we have taken internationally, we recognize the People's Republic of China, the One-China Policy" the Nigerian FM said.

The official said Nigeria has already informed Taiwan its decision and ordered its office in Abuja to shut down.

According to Onyeama, Nigeria had taken the step to remove any doubts that its earlier decision to grant Taiwan a trade mission had cast on the mutual beneficial trust and understanding between China and Nigeria.

Read the full story at Xinhua