Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday appeared to take a veiled swipe at the United States, warning against “unilateral” and “bullying” actions that he said were undermining the international order.
Speaking during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Beijing, Xi urged major powers to respect the development paths chosen by other countries and to act in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, according to state news agency Xinhua. He said global stability depended on leading nations setting an example by upholding these norms.
Xi’s remarks came amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including developments in Venezuela that have drawn international attention.
Beijing had echoed similar concerns a day earlier, strongly opposing what it described as the United States’ forcible control of Venezuela’s deposed leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. China warned against unilateral actions and said no country had the right to act as the world’s “policeman” or an “international judge.”
Speaking at the seventh round of the China–Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China “always opposes the use or threat of force, as well as the imposition of one country’s will on another.” He said the global situation was becoming increasingly unstable, with unilateral behaviour growing more pronounced.
Referring to Venezuela, Wang said the sudden change in the situation had attracted widespread international concern. Stressing the importance of sovereignty, he said China did not accept any country positioning itself as a global enforcer, adding that the sovereignty and security of all nations must be protected under international law.
Wang said China would continue to work with the international community, including Pakistan, to uphold the UN Charter, respect international norms and promote global peace and development. He reiterated Beijing’s call for dialogue, cooperation and a “shared future for humanity.”
According to official statements, Maduro was taken into custody by US forces during a military operation on Saturday and is currently being held in the United States. Delcy Rodríguez assumed charge late Sunday as Venezuela’s acting president. US President Donald Trump later warned that Rodríguez must grant the United States “total access” or face consequences “probably worse than Maduro.”
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