China said on Monday that Latin American countries are sovereign states with the right to choose their own international partners, responding to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Beijing and Moscow could buy Venezuelan oil only under U.S. oversight.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that "Latin American countries are all sovereign and independent countries, and they have every right to independently choose their own cooperation partners, adding that regardless of how circumstances evolve, China would "continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote common development with Latin American countries, Venezuela included."
The official's remarks, reported by China's People Daily Online, followed comments Trump made during a January 9 meeting at the White House with oil executives, where he said the United States was open to China and Russia purchasing Venezuelan crude under arrangements controlled by Washington. Trump argued that U.S. intervention in Venezuela's oil sector was preemptive, saying China and Russia "would have gone in there" had the United States not acted.
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The meeting came days after U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and as the Trump administration moved to assert control over Venezuelan oil exports. Officials have said Washington plans to oversee the sale of between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude under agreements with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.
China has consistently criticized U.S. actions in Venezuela. Days after Maduro's capture, President Xi Jinping warned against what he described as "unilateral hegemonic bullying" that undermines international order, without directly naming Venezuela.
China's Foreign Ministry later condemned the U.S. use of force against Venezuela as a violation of international law and the country's sovereignty, and called for respect for Venezuela's right to choose its own development path.
Beijing has also backed calls for the United Nations Security Council to address the situation, saying it supports international efforts to restore stability in Venezuela through dialogue rather than military pressure.
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