The Chinese Government has opposed any sanctions against Venezuela by the United States in reactions to an executive order signed recently by President Donald Trump.
According to the Chinese Government, history shows external interference and unilateral sanctions only make things more complex and will not help resolve problems.
It will be recalled that U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that prohibits dealings in new debt from the Venezuelan government or its state oil company on Friday in an effort to halt financing the White House believes fuels President Nicolas Maduro’s “dictatorship”.
President Maduro has however frequently blamed the United States for waging an “economic war” on Venezuela, adding that the US was seeking to force Venezuela to default. This he said would not succeed.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, while speaking on the new US position, said China’s position had 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.”
Chunying, who was speaking at a daily news briefing, said further: “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.”
China and oil-rich Venezuela have a close diplomatic and business relationship, especially in energy.
China had earlier in the month said it believed voting in Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly election was “generally held smoothly”. This was against widespread condemnation from the United States, Europe and others.
