In a forceful address to the United Nations Security Council, Chinese Ambassador Sun Lei delivered a stern condemnation of United States operations in Venezuela during an emergency session convened on January 5th. The diplomatic confrontation centered on allegations that Washington has committed serious breaches of international law through its interventionist policies in the South American nation.
Ambassador Sun characterized American activities as ‘wantonly violating Venezuela’s sovereignty’ and constituting a flagrant disregard for the foundational principles of the UN Charter. The Chinese representative articulated a position of firm solidarity with the Venezuelan government’s right to maintain territorial integrity and political independence without external interference.
The emergency meeting, called to address escalating tensions in the Latin American region, became a platform for China to articulate its vision of international relations based on mutual respect and non-intervention. Ambassador Sun emphasized Beijing’s commitment to collaborative diplomacy, stating China’s readiness to ‘work with regional countries and the international community to maintain peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.’
This diplomatic exchange occurs against the backdrop of increasing great power competition within multilateral institutions. China’s vocal defense of Venezuela’s sovereignty aligns with its broader foreign policy approach that prioritizes state sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs. The statement also reinforces China’s growing diplomatic engagement in Latin America, where it has developed significant economic and political ties over the past decade.
The emergency session highlighted continuing divisions within the Security Council regarding appropriate responses to political crises, with China positioning itself as a defender of established international legal frameworks against what it perceives as Western overreach.