China condemns unilateral US sanctions against Venezuela
China has denounced the newly-imposed US sanctions against Venezuela, saying unilateral measures would be of no avail and could only make things more complex.
The condemnation was made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a daily news briefing in the capital Beijing on Monday, after the White House announced a new range of economic sanctions against Caracas, including a ban on business dealings with the Venezuelan government and its oil companies.
Asked about the new US measure, Hua said China's position has consistently been to respect the sovereignty and independence of other countries and not to interfere in their internal affairs.
"The present problem in Venezuela should be resolved by the Venezuelan government and people themselves," the Chinese official said at the news briefing.
"The experience of history shows that outside interference or unilateral sanctions will make the situation even more complicated and will not help resolve the actual problem," she added.
China and Venezuela are close allies and have a close diplomatic and business relationship, especially in energy.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prohibits dealings with Venezuela, a measure taken to halt financing what the White House called President Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship."
Maduro says the US is seeking to stifle oil exports through sanctions and a "naval blockade" on the Latin American country. He also says the US and its allies in the region are fomenting instability to bring down his government.
Political tensions in Venezuela rose recently after Caracas announced plans to establish a Constituent Assembly to take over the opposition-controlled parliament and rewrite the constitution. The opposition saw the move as an overt attempt by Maduro to accumulate power.
Protests erupted on the streets, and clashes led to the death of at least 120 people from the two sides.
Russia, China have to counter any US attempt at containment: Moscow
China asserts support for Iran’s efforts to safeguard national security, stability
China slams latest US arms sales to Taiwan
US photographer opens Berlin exhibition with anti-Israel speech
VIDEO | Press TV's News Headlines
VIDEO | US 'non-profit killer’ bill targets pro-Palestinian groups
Explainer: How Yemeni military chased away US aircraft carrier from Red Sea?
French march for women of Palestine
Erdogan: Upholding ICC arrest warrants will restore trust in intl. system
Iran activated new centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: Parl. speaker
Nov. 23: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
