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The Chinese government accused the United States on Monday of committing a “serious violation of international law” following the interception of a oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude that was headed for Chinese territory, amid escalating tensions due to the tightening of sanctions against Nicolás Maduro's regime.
During a daily press conference, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, stated that Venezuela has the right to develop trade relations with other countries and reiterated Beijing's opposition to the sanctions, which he described as "unilateral and illegal," according to the agency Reuters.
The statements came after on Saturday, the United States Coast Guard intercepted a second oil tanker in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, just a few days after President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” against all sanctioned vessels entering or leaving Venezuela.
According to documents reviewed by international agencies, the tanker Centuries had been loaded in Venezuela under the false name "Crag" and was transporting approximately 1.8 million barrels of Merey crude oil, with a final destination in China.
The shipment is believed to have been acquired by Satau Tijana Oil Trading, one of the multiple intermediary companies used by the state-owned PDVSA to sell Venezuelan oil to independent Chinese refineries, according to the documents.
A White House spokesperson stated that it was a "flagged vessel," which was carrying sanctioned oil and was part of the so-called "ghost fleet" of Venezuela, used to evade international restrictions.
For its part, the Venezuelan government described the interception of the oil tanker as a "serious act of international piracy," joining the criticism against Washington for its use of naval force in the Caribbean.
China is currently the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, accounting for approximately 4% of its total oil imports, making this type of interdiction a sensitive issue in the relationship between Beijing and Washington.
The seizure of the vessel is part of a broader strategy by the United States to limit the oil revenues of Maduro's regime, a policy that has included maritime interdiction, confiscation of shipments, and detention of vessels, escalating diplomatic and commercial tension in the region.
Last Wednesday, China expressed its support for Venezuela and its rejection of what it termed "unilateral intimidation," amid increasing pressure from the U.S. on the South American country.
The statement occurred during a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited by Reuters.
In that conversation, Wang stated that China "supports countries in safeguarding their own sovereignty" and asserted that China and Venezuela are strategic partners, with a relationship marked by "trust and mutual support."
According to the cited source, the Chinese minister added that "the international community understands and supports Venezuela's position in defending its legitimate rights and interests," reinforcing Beijing's message of diplomatic backing for Caracas.
The office frames these statements in the context of the pressure that, according to Reuters, U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified on Venezuela.
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