Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (file photo)

China`s foreign minister has strongly condemned the US military aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, warning that Beijing will not accept Washington positioning itself as the arbiter of global affairs.

"China always opposes the use or threat of force, as well as any imposition of one country`s will on another," Wang Yi said on Sunday, referring to Saturday`s US aggression against Venezuela.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Beijing, where he addressed the broader international fallout of the attack.

He said the global situation has "become increasingly volatile and complex, with unilateral bullying on the rise," adding that the "sudden change of situation in Venezuela has drawn high attention from the international community."

Beijing had earlier released two separate statements responding to the US raid, expressing "shock" and "condemnation," and calling on Washington to release Maduro and Flores immediately.

"We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be the world`s judge," Wang said, stressing that the sovereignty and security of all nations must be respected and protected.

The US aggression against Venezuela began in the early hours of Saturday, when explosions rocked Caracas around 2 a.m. local time (006 GMT) as unmanned aircraft flew over the capital, spreading panic among residents.

Hours later, US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that Maduro and Flores had been abducted by US Delta Force.

US media later reported that the two were being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The human cost of the operation remains unclear, but multiple reports point to heavy casualties. At least 40 people were killed during the strikes and subsequent clashes, including civilians and members of Venezuela`s armed forces. Unofficial estimates put the death toll as high as 80.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Trump said the US would place Venezuela under interim governance, without offering a clear timeline or explaining how control would be exercised.

He repeatedly highlighted Venezuela`s oil reserves, openly linking the military aggression to future resource exploitation.

"We are going to rebuild the oil infrastructure, which will cost billions of dollars. It will be paid for by the oil companies directly. They will be reimbursed for what they are doing, but that is going to be paid," he said.