Following the US military strike on Venezuela on Saturday, China is demanding the immediate release of Nicolás Maduro. Beijing sharply condemns the "illegal action" and accuses Washington of acting as the "world police."
Japan, however, prefers to stay silent—caught between rule-of-law principles and the US alliance.
Details
🛢️ Oil dependence with limits: China is the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil, but Venezuela accounts for only 2% of China's crude oil imports. Most comes from the Middle East.
❝"Venezuela has only limited economic significance for China."
—Yue Su, China Economist, Economist Intelligence Unit
💰 Billions at stake: Venezuela owes China an estimated over $100 billion. Beijing's primary concern now is these investments and the future of its oil joint ventures.
🇺🇳 Showdown at the UN: China is leading criticism of the UN Security Council's "Emergency Meeting." Deputy Ambassador Sun Lei: "The US has trampled on Venezuela's sovereignty."
🇯🇵 Japan's diplomatic balancing act: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoids directly assessing the US operation to avoid jeopardizing the alliance with Washington.
- Tokyo is caught in a dilemma: while it preaches "rule of law," it can't afford to anger Donald Trump shortly before a planned US visit in spring.
Background
China's Global Security Initiative in Latin America is a framework launched by Xi Jinping in 2022 to solidify China's role as a global security power and alternative to the US-led order.
- The promise: strategic partnership, infrastructure investments, and protection from Western interference.
- Participants include: Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras
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