China calls US oil demand in Venezuela 'typical bullying,' violates sovereignty

China has sharply criticized the United States for demanding that Venezuela form an exclusive oil partnership with Washington, labeling the move a "typical bullying" act and a violation of both Venezuelan sovereignty and international law. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that Venezuela, as a sovereign state, has full permanent sovereignty over its oil resources and economic activities.

Details of US Demands and Chinese Response

The condemnation followed an ABC News report that the Trump administration presented interim President Delcy Rodriguez with a set of demands, including that Caracas partner exclusively with the US on oil production, favor American buyers for heavy crude, and expel Chinese, Russian, Iranian, and Cuban economic interests. Mao Ning asserted that China and other countries have legitimate rights in Venezuela protected by domestic and international law, emphasizing that bilateral cooperation agreements are between sovereign states. She also accused the US of long abusing illegal sanctions that have harmed Venezuela's development.

Context of US Intervention and Oil Transfer

The diplomatic clash comes amid a major US military intervention in Venezuela. Over the weekend, US airstrikes targeted Venezuelan infrastructure, and special forces captured President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who have pleaded not guilty to US drug and weapons charges. President Donald Trump announced that the Rodriguez administration agreed to transfer 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US for market sale. The US has framed its actions as enforcing the Monroe Doctrine and combating narco-trafficking while explicitly securing influence over Venezuela's vast oil reserves, a strategy China condemns as coercive and unlawful.