September 1st, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaqun presided over a regular press conference.
Some media have asked that, according to reports, as part of the new oil agreement reached between President Trump and Venezuela, the American oil company NABEP will take over several oil fields in Venezuela. These oil fields were previously operated by Chinese companies. What is China's response to this?
Guo Jiaqun said that China has taken note of the relevant reports. China has always advocated that relations between countries should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. Economic and trade cooperation between countries should follow the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation.
"I would also like to emphasize that China's cooperation with Venezuela is protected by international law and the laws of both countries, and China's legitimate rights in Venezuela must be ensured." Guo Jia Kun said.
According to previous reports, earlier on August 28th, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States had reached an agreement with Venezuela, granting 'major control' over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves. Subsequently, the Venezuelan government also issued a statement confirming the agreement.
As a result, the US government is no longer just an intermediary in the oil investments of American companies in Venezuela, but has directly become a investor. However, this agreement has angered a large number of Venezuelans, and some senior executives of oil companies as well as US government officials are also confused about the terms of the agreement and its actual operating model.
On August 31, two American officials even told Reuters that the American company NABEP would take over some Venezuelan oil fields previously controlled by Chinese and Russian companies.
