Why China is watching Venezuela closely
Why China is watching Venezuela closely
01:09
China and Venezuela have maintained close relations for decades, forged by a shared political ideology and mutual distrust of a world led by the US.
The bulk of Venezuelan oil exports flow to China, and Chinese companies finance extensive infrastructure projects and investments across the country, with Beijing lending billions to Caracas in recent decades.
Trump’s move has appeared to upend that relationship, at least for now, raising questions over China’s preferential access to Venezuelan oil and the future of its political and economic influence in the wider region.
Chinese social media has erupted with discussion of the implications. If the US can snatch a leader in its backyard, many ask, why can’t China do the same? By late Monday, topics linked to Trump’s capture of Maduro had received more than 650 million impressions on Weibo, with many users suggesting it could offer a template for Beijing’s potential military takeover of Taiwan.
But Beijing has struck a different tone in public statements. It has denounced Maduro’s capture, condemning Washington for behaving like the world’s policeman, and calling for the ousted leader’s immediate release.
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