September 3rd, Foreign Minister Guo Jia Kun presided over the regular press conference.
A reporter asked that U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry stated that China will not have any debts or claims regarding the income from new oil production in Venezuela. Can China explain how it plans to protect its interests in Venezuela? Are there concerns that U.S. actions in Venezuela could set a precedent for the U.S. violating international law and seizing Chinese assets in other countries?
Guo Jiaqun stated that the cooperation between China and Venezuela is protected by international law and bilateral laws, and has nothing to do with third parties. It should not be interfered with by third parties. China’s legitimate rights and interests in Venezuela must be protected.
According to previous reports, on August 28 local time, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States had reached an agreement with Venezuela, gaining ‘primary control’ over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves. Subsequently, the Venezuelan government also issued a statement confirming the agreement.
Thus, the U.S. government is no longer just a mediator in the oil investments of American companies in Venezuela, but has become a direct investor. However, this agreement has angered a large number of Venezuelans, and some high-ranking executives of oil companies, as well as U.S. government officials, are also confused about the terms of the agreement and its actual operation.
On August 31, two American officials even told Reuters that the American company NABEP will take over some Venezuelan oil fields that were previously controlled by Chinese and Russian companies. The Chinese side emphasized that cooperation between China and Venezuela is protected by law, and China’s legitimate rights and interests in Venezuela must be safeguarded.
