China Slams US ‘Bullying’ Over Pressure on Venezuela to Cut Ties

China criticized the Trump administration’s reported call for Venezuela to sever its alliances with US rivals, labeling the move a “bullying act” as their competition for influence in the region emerges as a new source of friction.

“The US’s blatant use of force against Venezuela and asking the country to favor America when handling its own oil resources — this is a typical bullying act,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. “Let me stress that China and other countries have legitimate rights in Venezuela, which must be protected.”