Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a strong but indirect remark against the United States, accusing the major power of engaging in “unilateral and bullying actions” following recent developments in Venezuela. His comments come after the fall of the Maduro government and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States, an event China has sharply criticised.

Speaking during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, President Xi stressed the need for powerful nations to respect the choices and sovereignty of other countries. Although he did not name the United States directly, his remarks were widely seen as a veiled criticism of Washington’s actions in Venezuela.

“The world today is undergoing changes and turbulence not seen in a century, with unilateral and bullying actions severely undermining the international order,” Xi said, according to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua.

Xi further emphasised that global stability depends on nations following international law and respecting each other’s independent paths of development. “All countries should respect the development paths independently chosen by the peoples of other nations, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and major powers, in particular, should take the lead in doing so,” the Chinese President said.

These statements came soon after Beijing openly criticised the United States for what it described as a sudden power grab in Venezuela. China has expressed strong opposition to Washington’s actions, especially the arrest of President Maduro, calling it a serious violation of international norms.

Earlier, China had demanded the immediate release of the Venezuelan leader and his wife. Beijing said it was “deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state.”

“The move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” China stated in its official response.

China has repeatedly maintained that Venezuela has the right to decide its own economic and political partnerships without facing pressure from outside forces. According to Beijing, Caracas should be free to cooperate with other nations as it chooses.

The fall of the Maduro government and his capture by the United States are seen as major setbacks for China. Beijing has enjoyed close strategic ties with Venezuela for many years, dating back to the time of former President Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s predecessor.

Over the past two decades, China and Venezuela built a strong strategic partnership based on shared political views, energy cooperation, and opposition to US and Western influence in Latin America. During this period, China emerged as Venezuela’s largest oil buyer, even as the country faced heavy US sanctions.

China is also Venezuela’s major investor and lender. Beijing has provided tens of billions of dollars in loans to Caracas, many of which were backed by oil supplies. This financial and energy cooperation played a key role in strengthening relations between the two nations.

Beijing’s leaders have consistently argued that external interference undermines global stability and violates the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention. The Chinese government believes that powerful countries must act responsibly and avoid imposing their will on smaller or developing nations.

President Xi’s remarks underline China’s broader stance on global governance at a time when international tensions are rising. His comments highlight Beijing’s concern that unilateral actions by major powers are weakening the international order and increasing global uncertainty.

China’s response to the Venezuela crisis reflects its long-standing position against foreign intervention and its commitment to defending the sovereignty of its allies. As Venezuela’s largest oil buyer and a key economic partner, Beijing views the developments in Caracas as both a political and strategic loss.

The situation has added strain to already tense relations between China and the United States, with Beijing continuing to call for respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.