China FM Wang Yi reaffirms Beijing’s backing for Venezuela as US pressure grows

China extended its support to Venezuela and opposed “unilateral bullying” in a foreign ministers’ phone call on Wednesday amid rising US pressure on the South American country.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil that China and Venezuela were strategic partners and that mutual trust and support were a tradition of bilateral ties.

In a veiled swipe at the US, Wang said “China opposes all forms of unilateral bullying and supports countries in safeguarding their sovereignty and national dignity”, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

“We believe the international community understands and supports Venezuela’s position in defending its legitimate rights and interests,” Wang added.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had ordered “a total and complete” blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. In response, Caracas issued a statement rejecting Trump’s “grotesque threat”.

After Trump’s announcement, Venezuela on Wednesday requested a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss “ongoing US aggression” against the country, via a letter to the 15-member body, according to Reuters.

South China Morning Post