At the Security Council's emergency public meeting on the situation in Venezuela, Sun Lei, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, stated on the 5th that China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US's unilateral, illegal, and bullying actions.
Sun Lei pointed out that for some time now, the international community has repeatedly expressed grave concern over the US's sanctions, blockade, and threats of force against Venezuela. The Security Council has convened two emergency meetings; UN Secretary-General Guterres, the majority of Security Council members, regional and extra-regional countries have unanimously called for adherence to the UN Charter and international law, for calm and restraint, for peaceful settlement of disputes, for de-escalation, and for the safeguarding of regional stability. However, as a permanent member of the Security Council, the United States has ignored the grave concerns of the international community, wantonly trampled on Venezuela's sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, seriously violated the principle of sovereign equality, seriously violated the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, seriously violated the principle of peaceful settlement of international disputes, and seriously violated the principle of non-use of force in international relations. The US has placed its own power above multilateralism and military action above diplomatic efforts, posing a serious threat to the peace and security of Latin America, the Caribbean, and even the world. China firmly opposes this, and the international community has also expressed serious concern and strong condemnation.
He emphasized that China urges the US to heed the overwhelming calls of the international community, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, cease infringing on other countries' sovereignty and security, stop attempting to overthrow the Venezuelan government, and return to the track of solving issues politically through dialogue and negotiation. China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, and to release them immediately. China supports the Security Council in fulfilling its primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, and supports all efforts of the UN Secretary-General, regional countries, and organizations that are conducive to promoting dialogue and de-escalating the situation.
He pointed out that the lessons of history are not far behind; military means are not the way out of problems. Abuse of force will only lead to greater crises. The US once bypassed the Security Council to launch military action against Iraq, brazenly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, and imposed economic sanctions, military strikes—even armed occupation—on many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, resulting in ongoing conflict, turmoil, and immense hardship for people.
He stated that Venezuela is an independent sovereign country and is fully entitled to defend its sovereignty and national dignity. The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are important forces for world peace, stability, and global development and prosperity, fully entitled to independently choose their own development paths and partners. No country can act as the world's police, and no country can claim to be the judge of international law. China firmly supports the Venezuelan government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, firmly supports regional countries in upholding the status of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, and demands that the US change its course, cease its bullying and coercive acts, and develop relations and cooperation with regional countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and non-interference in internal affairs. China is willing to work together with the countries of the region and the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly safeguard the peace and stability of Latin America and the Caribbean.