Why China may want to avoid direct confrontation with US after Venezuela raid

China is expected to avoid direct confrontation with the United States following the assault on Venezuela, but analysts said Beijing might try to capitalise on the unease created among Latin American countries to deepen economic and diplomatic ties.

China’s response so far has been limited to the diplomatic front, with a slew of condemnations of the US for breaching international law and violating Venezuela’s sovereignty.

“Beijing will maintain a high-profile diplomatic posture but might not aim to take substantive action. It will tend to avoid confronting Washington over Latin America, which could lead to more pressure on China in East Asia,” said Song Luzheng, an international affairs researcher at Fudan University’s China Institute.

At a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, said Beijing would strengthen cooperation with Venezuela and Cuba, another country Trump has threatened.

She added that China, Latin American and Caribbean countries would continue to “support each other”.

South China Morning Post