Xi Jinping on Monday issued a pointed warning against what he described as “unilateral and bullying acts,” a remark widely seen as a veiled reference to recent actions by the United States, even though he did not mention the country by name. His comments came amid international reaction to the Trump administration’s decision to launch a military operation in Venezuela and capture its leader, Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife.
Speaking during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Xi stressed the importance of respecting the choices made by different nations regarding their political and developmental paths. He said major powers, in particular, must set an example by adhering strictly to international law and upholding the purposes and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, according to a report by China’s state-run Xinhua news agency carried by TRT News.
Reinforcing Xi’s position, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian echoed Beijing’s opposition to what China views as coercive or domineering behaviour that infringes on another country’s sovereignty. Addressing reporters at a regular press briefing, Lin said China has called for the immediate release of Maduro and reiterated its long-standing objection to the use of force in international relations as a means of resolving disputes.
Lin cautioned that such actions risk undermining peace and stability in Latin America, a region he said has already faced prolonged political and economic challenges. He reaffirmed China’s policy of non-interference and noted that Beijing continues to maintain constructive communication and cooperation with the Venezuelan government. China, he added, remains willing to support Latin American nations in safeguarding their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Highlighting the consistency of China’s regional approach, the spokesperson said Beijing’s policy toward Latin America would remain stable regardless of shifts in the global political environment. He described China as a reliable and enduring partner for countries in the region, emphasising that it seeks friendship and cooperation rather than dominance.
China has also voiced support for convening an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the US actions in Venezuela, signalling its intention to raise the issue in multilateral forums and frame it as a matter of international concern rather than bilateral confrontation.
These remarks followed comments made a day earlier by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who said Beijing does not accept the idea of any country acting as the world’s ultimate authority. In a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Beijing, Wang said China rejects the notion of any state serving as the “world’s police” or “world’s judge,” referring indirectly to the recent developments in Venezuela without explicitly naming the United States.
