Reacting to media reports of the United States demanding Venezuela’s exclusive oil partnership with Washington, China said on Wednesday that the demand was a “typical bullying” act and a violation of both Venezuelan sovereignty and international law. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Venezuela is a sovereign state and has full permanent sovereignty over its oil resources and economic activities. The legitimate rights and interests of other countries in Venezuela, including those of China, must be protected, Mao Ning said at a regular news briefing in Beijing.
China is Venezuela’s second-largest trade partner after the US, and the current bilateral volume stands at around $7 billion.
The condemnation follows a report by ABC News saying the Trump administration has presented interim President Delcy Rodriguez with a set of demands, including that Caracas partner exclusively with the US on oil production, favour American buyers for heavy crude, and expel Chinese, Russian, Iranian, and Cuban economic interests.
Mao Ning said China and other nations also have legitimate rights in Venezuela protected by domestic and international laws and emphasised that bilateral cooperation agreements are between sovereign states. She also accused the US of having abused illegal sanctions that harmed Venezuela’s development.
“Venezuela is a sovereign state and has full permanent sovereignty over its oil resources and economic activities,” Mao Ning told reporters.
“Let me stress that China and other countries have legitimate rights in Venezuela, which must be protected,” Mao added.
Trending Stories
)
JP Nadda, Jitendra Singh meet Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital: Report
)
Dharmendra Pradhan's 1997 paper leak protest surfaces amid calls for resignation
)
Trump announces 200% tariff on generic drugs: Here's what it means for 'Pharmacy of the World' India
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Zimbabwe T20Is
)
'Is that a back-up Trump?' Mysterious look-alike standing behind Donald Trump baffles netizens
)
US-Iran war cost hits $37.5 billion as Hegseth seeks $67 billion more for Pentagon
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Delhi Metro shuts 16 stations as NEET-UG protest continues at Jantar Mantar: Full list of affected routes
)
Is Pentagon hiding missile shortage from Trump? US officials raise alarm over Iran war readiness
)
'Criticising him after two or three matches isn't justified': Sikandar Raza backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
)
'We acted immediately...': Indian PM Modi breaks silence on paper leaks as NEET protest, calls for Education Minister's resignation grows
)
Kaylee Hottle was unconscious: Shocking details from first responders revealed after teen star's death
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
FIFA 2026 | 'I am truly sorry': Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, who get red card in final, reacts to loss
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
World's top 7 most liveable cities in 2026 — Check where India and Pakistan stand
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
)
'Not permitted ...': IIT Roorkee issues gag order as students' protest intensifies
)
'Don't waste...': CJI Surya Kant breaks silence on Delhi police brutality against protesting students
)
'This should not happen in a democracy': Shashi Tharoor slams detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi after protest outside PM Modi's residence
)
FBI arrests alleged $547mn medicare fraud fugitive after 3-year global manhunt
The clash comes after a US military intervention over the weekend, when American forces targeted Venezuelan infrastructure, and special forces captured President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
President Donald Trump has announced that the Rodriguez administration agreed to transfer 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US for market sale. The US has framed its actions as enforcing the Monroe Doctrine and combating narco-trafficking while explicitly securing influence over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
China has condemned US actions and termed them coercive and unlawful.
