Source NDTV
BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a sharp, albeit veiled, critique of the United States on Monday, warning that “unilateral and bullying acts” are destabilizing the global order. The remarks come in the immediate wake of a dramatic U.S. military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Speaking during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the Great Hall of the People, Xi emphasized that the world is currently undergoing “changes and turbulence not seen in a century.” While he stopped short of naming the U.S. or President Trump directly, his choice of words—long-standing Chinese shorthand for American foreign policy—left little doubt regarding the target of his criticism.
Defending Sovereignty
President Xi urged major powers to lead by example in upholding international law and respecting the autonomy of other nations.
“All countries should respect the development paths independently chosen by the peoples of other nations, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Xi stated, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. “Major powers, in particular, should take the lead in doing so.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry followed Xi’s remarks with a more direct condemnation, describing the U.S. raid as a “hegemonic act” and a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Beijing has officially called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, who were reportedly transferred to New York to face federal drug trafficking charges.
A Significant Strategic Blow
The fall of the Maduro administration represents a major setback for Beijing’s interests in Latin America. Over the past two decades, China has served as a critical financial lifeline for Venezuela, providing billions in loans-for-oil deals and maintaining a firm stance against Western-led sanctions.
Economic Stakes: China remains the largest purchaser of Venezuelan oil, a relationship that has persisted despite years of U.S. pressure.
Diplomatic Alignment: Beijing and Caracas have long shared a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” built largely on a mutual opposition to what they characterize as U.S. interference in the Global South.
Regional and Global Reaction
The U.S. operation, which Washington characterized as a “large-scale law enforcement mission,” has polarized the international community. While some regional leaders have expressed hope for a democratic transition in Venezuela, others, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have joined China in condemning the move as a dangerous precedent that “crosses an unacceptable line.”
As of Monday evening, China has expressed support for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the legality of the U.S. actions.
