Nigeria on Wednesday strongly denied rumors that its government had refused China's proposal to deport 80,000 Nigerian citizens illegally staying in China.
"This information is not true and it is a malicious and irresponsible information," the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in China told the Global Times on Wednesday, when asked to confirm rumors.
Rumors circulating on Chinese social media claim the Chinese government proposed to the Nigerian government that it would deport 80,000 Nigerian citizens illegally staying in China, and would pay 2,000 yuan ($290) for each to settle down in Nigeria. But rumors say Nigeria turned down the proposal, saying that it is impossible to confirm their identities.
The Nigerian government said on January 11, 2017 that it had ordered the closure of Taiwan's office in the capital Abuja and moved its trade mission to Lagos.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said China highly appreciates Nigeria's move to close Taiwan's office in Abuja.
Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe, which resumed diplomatic relations with China in December, have made "correct decisions" on the basis of the one-China principle, opening up broad prospects for bilateral relations, Lu said.
