Xi Warns Against ‘Bullying’ as China Slams US Over Venezuela Power Seizure

Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a pointed warning against what he described as unilateral and coercive behaviour by major powers, in remarks widely read as an indirect criticism of the United States following its dramatic intervention in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Beijing has longstanding political and economic ties with Caracas and remains its largest oil buyer.

Speaking amid growing global tensions, Xi warned that the international system is under strain due to aggressive actions by powerful nations. His comments came shortly after China openly criticised Washington's operation against the Venezuelan leadership.

Xi's warning on global order and major powers

"The world today is undergoing changes and turbulence not seen in a century, with unilateral and bullying actions severely undermining the international order," Xi said, according to Xinhua.

He underlined that powerful countries carry a special responsibility to uphold international norms. "All countries should respect the development paths independently chosen by the peoples of other nations, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and major powers, in particular, should take the lead in doing so," Xi said during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.

China demands respect for Venezuela's sovereignty

China has repeatedly defended Venezuela's right to pursue economic partnerships without outside interference. Following the US operation, Beijing called on Washington to "immediately" release Maduro and his wife, describing the action as unlawful and destabilising.

"The move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," China said in a formal statement, adding that it was "deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US's blatant use of force against a sovereign state".

Why the Maduro capture unsettles Beijing

The removal of the Maduro government is seen in Beijing as a significant strategic setback. China's close relationship with Venezuela dates back to the era of Hugo Chavez, when the two countries forged strong political and ideological alignment.

Over the past two decades, that partnership has expanded through energy cooperation and shared resistance to US and Western influence in Latin America. Despite American sanctions, China emerged as a major buyer of Venezuelan crude and its leading investor and lender, extending tens of billions of dollars in oil-backed loans.

For Beijing, the events in Caracas go beyond Venezuela alone. They are increasingly viewed as a test case for how global power is exercised and whether international rules can restrain the actions of the strongest states.