Key Points:
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian strongly opposes US use of force against Venezuela
- Beijing calls US action a serious violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and threat to Latin American peace
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says no country can be the ‘world’s policeman’ or international judge
- China asserts Venezuelan people have full right to choose their own development path
- UN Security Council calls emergency meeting on Venezuela crisis, China supports impartial UNSC role
- Experts warn China’s response could deepen existing US-China geopolitical tensions
- Beijing appeals to all parties to adopt responsible approach to restore stability in Venezuela
China has reacted sharply to the US military action in Venezuela and the arrest of former President Nicolás Maduro, with Beijing openly condemning the actions as a serious violation of international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated unequivocally that China strongly opposes the use of force by the United States against Venezuela, calling it a move that not only violates Venezuela’s sovereignty but also poses a serious threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. The Chinese position emphasizes that no country has the right to declare itself the world’s policeman or an international judge, reflecting Beijing’s long-standing opposition to unilateral military interventions.
The condemnation comes at a critical moment when the Trump administration has intensified its pressure campaign against the Maduro regime, with Chinese officials warning that the use of force or threats in international relations is completely unacceptable. Lin Jian added that such actions undermine the basic principles of state sovereignty that form the foundation of the current international order, principles that China has consistently defended in various global forums. The spokesperson’s statements indicate that Beijing views this intervention not as an isolated incident but as part of a broader pattern of American hegemony that threatens developing nations’ autonomy.
Chinese Leadership’s Direct Criticism
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also directly criticized the United States on the same issue, stating that China has never believed that any single country can become the world’s policeman or declare itself an international judge. According to Wang Yi, China has always opposed the use of force, power politics, and imposing the will of one country on others, positions that reflect Beijing’s alternative vision for global governance based on multilateralism and respect for sovereignty. The Foreign Minister’s comments carry additional weight given his senior position in China’s diplomatic hierarchy and his role in shaping the country’s foreign policy strategy.
Wang Yi’s statements align with China’s broader diplomatic doctrine of non-interference in internal affairs, a principle Beijing frequently cites when opposing Western interventions in countries like Syria, Libya, and now Venezuela. The Chinese leadership’s unified messaging on this issue, from the Foreign Ministry spokesperson to the Foreign Minister himself, demonstrates the strategic importance Beijing attaches to countering American unilateralism. This coordinated response also serves to position China as a defender of smaller nations against great power bullying, an image Beijing carefully cultivates among developing countries in forums like the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Venezuela’s Right to Self-Determination
China also clarified that the Venezuelan people have the full right to choose their own path of national development, a statement that directly challenges the US narrative of bringing democracy to Venezuela. Spokesperson Lin Jian appealed to all parties to adopt a responsible approach to restore stability and order in Venezuela and avoid further exacerbating the situation, emphasizing that external interference only complicates domestic political processes. This position reflects Beijing’s consistent support for the principle that nations should determine their own political systems without external coercion, a stance that also serves China’s interests in maintaining stable relationships with resource-rich developing countries.
The Chinese emphasis on Venezuelan self-determination carries economic implications, as China has significant investments in Venezuela’s oil sector and has been a key creditor to the Maduro government. Beijing’s diplomatic protection of Caracas ensures that Chinese economic interests are safeguarded against potential US-backed regime change that might threaten these investments. Moreover, by defending Venezuela’s sovereignty, China reinforces its own claims to territorial integrity in regions like Taiwan and the South China Sea, creating a reciprocal framework of non-interference that benefits Beijing’s core interests.
UN Security Council Emergency Meeting
Amidst these developments, the United Nations Security Council has called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Venezuela, with China actively supporting this diplomatic initiative. Beijing stated that the UNSC should play an impartial and responsible role within its mandated framework, using the meeting as an opportunity to uphold the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international justice. China’s support for the emergency meeting reflects its strategy of using multilateral institutions to constrain American unilateral actions, preferring diplomatic forums where its veto power and influence among non-aligned nations can be effectively deployed.
The emergency session represents a critical test for the UN Security Council’s ability to address great power conflicts, with China likely to rally Russia and other sympathetic members to condemn the US action. Chinese diplomats have been actively consulting with Security Council members, particularly Russia, Cuba, and Iran, to coordinate a unified response that emphasizes respect for sovereignty and non-interference. The meeting’s outcome could set important precedents for how the international community responds to unilateral military interventions, potentially strengthening the role of the UNSC in checking great power ambitions.
Geopolitical Tensions and Global Power Dynamics
Experts believe that China’s response could further deepen the existing geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, with the Venezuelan crisis appearing to become a focal point of conflict between major global powers. The confrontation over Venezuela reflects broader competition for influence in Latin America, a region traditionally considered America’s backyard but where Chinese economic presence has grown substantially through Belt and Road Initiative projects and commodity purchases. Beijing’s vocal opposition to US action in Venezuela signals its willingness to challenge American hegemony even in Washington’s traditional sphere of influence.
The crisis also highlights the emerging alignment between China, Russia, and Iran in opposing US interventions, creating a potential axis of resistance against American unilateralism. China’s diplomatic support for Venezuela, combined with its economic leverage and growing military capabilities, suggests that future US interventions may face more coordinated and effective opposition. This development could lead to a more multipolar world order where great power competition plays out through proxy conflicts and diplomatic confrontations in international forums, with smaller nations caught in the crossfire of superpower rivalries.
