At his annual news conference Friday, China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, stressed that his country favors the rules of international law, respect for the sovereignty of Venezuela and negotiations without foreign interference to peacefully resolve the situation of the South American country.
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"Each country's internal affairs should be decided by its own people. External interference and sanctions will only exacerbate the tense situation, and allow the law of the jungle to once again run amok," Wang said and warned that “there's already enough of such lessons from history, and the same old disastrous road should not be followed."
The Chinese Minister also announced that China is willing to continue supporting the search for a political solution through peaceful dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the political opposition, in order to maintain the stability of the nation and the security of its people.
Wang also urged respect for the right of Latin American and Caribbean countries to develop relations with the Asian giant. He emphasized that adherence to the "One China principle" is the basis of those ties, but also coincides with the fundamental long-term interests of that area.
"They are sound decisions that should not be the object of interference or unfounded criticism," he said and added that "we believe that the sovereignty and independence of each country are equally valuable and, therefore, should be appreciated and protected without exception."
The Chinese foreign minister highlighted the significant progress in the China–Latin America relations and recalled that international exchanges are based on equality and mutual benefit.
"In 2019 we will continue to promote cooperation with Latin American countries through the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Forum, as well as the joint construction of 'the Strip and the Route Initiative' in order to bring the comprehensive partnership between both parties to a superior level,"' Wang said.
The minister made these statements in the context of the annual session of the Chinese National People's Congress, which started on Feb. 5 and will run until Feb. 15.
The Chinsese statement came just hours after President Donald Trump's special representative for Venezuela, Elliot Abrams, announced new sanctions against foreign companies maintaining economic ties with the South American country.
"There will be more sanctions on financial institutions,” Abrams said in an U.S. Senate hearing on Thursday, adding that he had asked some European banks to “shield” Venezuelan assets.