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| China opposes sanctions against Venezuela, says US will be responsible for consequences | China opposes sanctions against Venezuela, says US will be responsible for consequences |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| China has said that the US will bear responsibility for sweeping sanctions it imposed on Venezuela, warning Washington of repercussions and reiterating support for the embattled President Nicolas Maduro, RIA Novosti reports. | China has said that the US will bear responsibility for sweeping sanctions it imposed on Venezuela, warning Washington of repercussions and reiterating support for the embattled President Nicolas Maduro, RIA Novosti reports. |
| “We stand against one-sided sanctions. History shows that foreign interventions or sanctions only make the situation more complicated, being unable to solve the problem,” Geng Shuang, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a regular press briefing on Tuesday. | “We stand against one-sided sanctions. History shows that foreign interventions or sanctions only make the situation more complicated, being unable to solve the problem,” Geng Shuang, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a regular press briefing on Tuesday. |
| The diplomat added that Beijing recognizes Maduro as the legitimate head of state, despite all the pressure being put on him. He noted that Chinese leader Xi Jinping sent his envoy to Maduro’s inauguration earlier in January, and said that this was a strong sign of support for Venezuela. | The diplomat added that Beijing recognizes Maduro as the legitimate head of state, despite all the pressure being put on him. He noted that Chinese leader Xi Jinping sent his envoy to Maduro’s inauguration earlier in January, and said that this was a strong sign of support for Venezuela. |
| “Would we be able to do so if we didn’t recognize him?” Geng asked rhetorically. | “Would we be able to do so if we didn’t recognize him?” Geng asked rhetorically. |
| On Monday, Washington announced a package of sanctions targeting Venezuela’s state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), claiming that it would prevent “further diversion” of assets by “former president Maduro.” | On Monday, Washington announced a package of sanctions targeting Venezuela’s state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), claiming that it would prevent “further diversion” of assets by “former president Maduro.” |
| The fresh restrictions will freeze $7 billion in assets and cause more than $11 billion in lost export revenues throughout the next year. | The fresh restrictions will freeze $7 billion in assets and cause more than $11 billion in lost export revenues throughout the next year. |
| The sanctions will “aggravate people’s welfare and [the US] should bear responsibility for that,” he stated. | The sanctions will “aggravate people’s welfare and [the US] should bear responsibility for that,” he stated. |
| China is one of Venezuela’s biggest trading partners and political allies, but its response to the crisis was rather measured. Previously, the Foreign Ministry urged outside actors to observe Venezuelan sovereignty and not to meddle with its domestic affairs. | |
| “China is opposed to foreign interference in Venezuela’s affairs, in particular the threat of military interference,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said last week, adding that Beijing will continue “to support the efforts made by the Venezuelan government to uphold national sovereignty, independence and stability.” | |
| READ MORE: OpSec fail or unspoken threat? Bolton’s ‘5,000 troops’ notepad line ups ante for Venezuela | |
| The confrontation between government and opposition forces in Venezuela escalated when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself to be acting the president after calls for a regime change from Washington. The 35-year-old was largely unknown outside Venezuela until the beginning of this year, but he now enjoys the backing of the US, Israel, Canada, Australia and a number of South American countries. | |
| China, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Belarus and South Africa have supported Maduro instead, saying they will continue working with his government. | |
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