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Don’t Write Off China’s Medical Diplomacy in Africa Just Because Nigeria Isn’t Happy About It

Medical protective gear donated by China arriving at Accra's international airport in Ghana. These safety materials will be distributed to 18 African countries. Photo via Chinese embassy in Ghana Twitter.

There’s no doubt that the tremendous backlash against the plan to send an 18-person Chinese medical team to Nigeria is catching Beijing off guard. After all, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go. In Italy and Serbia, Chinese medical staff were received like heroes coming to save the day.

That’s definitely not the case in Nigeria, where politicians, doctors, journalists, and others have all voiced their strenuous opposition. It’s the same on social media where thousands have registered their unfiltered anger over what they perceive as an insult to Nigeria’s national pride.

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