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China says it is still ‘committed’ to ties with Venezuela and energy cooperation
Beijing also stressed the importance of its relationship with Latin America, saying it was based on ‘equality and mutual benefit’
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Xinlu Liangin Beijing
China remained committed to its energy partnership with Venezuela and stressed that the cooperation between the two countries was protected by international law, the foreign ministry in Beijing said on Monday.
Following this weekend’s raid that saw President Nicolas Maduro captured and taken to the United States, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian was asked whether the country, the largest customer for Venezuelan oil, would continue the imports.
He did not answer directly, but said: “Regardless of how Venezuela’s political situation shifts, China remains committed to deepening its practical cooperation across various sectors, with the legal protections for its investments and interests firmly in place.”
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He also said “cooperation between sovereign states [was] protected by international law and the laws of both countries”.
US President Donald Trump has justified the action by saying Venezuela had “stolen” US oil and assets, adding that American oil firms would be taking control of the country’s oil industry.
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He said the country’s oil revenues would be used to reimburse the US for what he described as years of financial and security damage, although he also promised to continue selling to China and other major importers when production is restored.
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