Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning

China has denounced as a "typical bullying" act Washington`s demand that Venezuela form an "exclusive partnership" in the oil sector with the United States.

"The United States` brazen use of force against Venezuela and its demand for `America First` when Venezuela disposes of its own oil resources are typical acts of bullying," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Wednesday.

ABC News reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump has told Venezuela`s interim President Delcy Rodriguez it "must meet the White House`s demands," including that Caracas "must agree to partner exclusively with the US on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil."

Washington has also demanded that Caracas "must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties", according to the report.

"These actions seriously violate international law, gravely infringe upon Venezuela`s sovereignty, and severely damage the rights of the Venezuelan people," Mao stated.

The spokeswoman said China and other countries have "legitimate rights in Venezuela, which must be protected".

On January 3, the US military abducted Maduro and his wife from Caracas and transferred them to New York following an attack involving heavy bombing, aircraft, warships, and commandos.

Hours after the attack, Trump said the United States would "run" Venezuela at least temporarily and be "very strongly involved" in the country`s ​oil ‍industry.

The military attack on Venezuela followed months of pressure on the country under the pretext of combating illegal drugs destined for the United States.

Caracas firmly denied any connection to drug trafficking and maintained that Washington aimed to overthrow the Venezuelan president in a bid to take control of the nation`s vast oil reserves.

In December 2025, Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.