China backs Venezuela amid mounting US pressure
Photo: China (Getty Images)
China has publicly sided with Venezuela amid a sharp escalation of pressure from the United States. The statement came shortly after Washington decided to apply naval measures against Venezuelan oil shipments, according to Bloomberg.
Beijing's support amid US pressure
On Wednesday, China’s top diplomat voiced support for Venezuela, opposing unilateral pressure and reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to the principles of sovereignty.
The statement came just hours after US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of oil tankers, further intensifying pressure on the South American country.
In a conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yván Gil, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing opposed what he described as unilateral coercion and supported countries in defending their national dignity.
Reaction to Washington's actions
Although the statement did not explicitly mention the United States, Wang’s remarks were made less than a day after Trump announced naval measures on social media. The move is widely seen as a significant escalation of Washington’s campaign against Venezuela’s leadership.
On Tuesday, the US president ordered a blockade of oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela in circumvention of sanctions.
China's position on Venezuela
Wang Yi emphasized that Venezuela has the right to pursue mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries, adding that Beijing believes the broader international community generally supports this position.
China, he said, will continue to uphold the principles of non-interference and opposition to unilateral restrictions.
Earlier, China carried out the maiden flight of what is described as the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle, unofficially dubbed a "drone aircraft carrier." The Jiutian UAV is capable of carrying and launching groups of drones.
China has been taking steps to deepen cooperation with Russia, including in the military and industrial spheres.
