China Reaffirms Commitment to Venezuelan Ties, Condemns U.S. Raid

China on Monday doubled down its condemnation of the US raid on Venezuela, and said it is “committed” to deepening cooperation with Caracas and believes that Beijing’s interests in the Latin American nation are “protected by law.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lin Jian, told reporters in Beijing that China-Venezuela cooperation is “conducted between two sovereign states, (and) protected by international law and laws of the two countries.”

“No matter how the political situation in Venezuela may evolve, China is deeply committed to deepening the two countries’ practical cooperation in various fields and … legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese side in Venezuela will be protected in accordance with the law,” Lin said.

Regarding the US “running” Venezuela, Lin said that other countries should “respect the path chosen by” the Latin American nation and help restore stability in the country.

China “supports the UN Security Council to play its due role in accordance with its mandate,” Lin said, as the top executive body of the UN was set to convene on Monday to debate the US raid on the Latin American nation.

It is noteworthy that the United States used to be the main buyer of Venezuelan oil but since the introduction of sanctions, China has become the main destination in the last decade.

Accordingly, China became be the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude, which accounts for roughly 4% of its imports, with shipments in December on track to average more than 600,000 barrels per day, analysts have said.

For years, China has extended credit lines to Venezuela under loans-for-oil deals. In a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow last year, Maduro told Xi that Venezuela was looking forward to expanding cooperation in trade and energy.