China has denounced as a “typical bullying” act Washington’s demand that Venezuela form an “exclusive partnership” in the oil sector with the United States.

“The United States’ brazen use of force against Venezuela and its demand for ‘America First’ when Venezuela disposes of its own oil resources are typical acts of bullying,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Wednesday.

ABC News reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump has told Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez it “must meet the White House’s demands,” including that Caracas “must agree to partner exclusively with the US on oil production and favor America when selling heavy crude oil.”

Washington has also demanded that Caracas “must kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties”, according to the report.

“These actions seriously violate international law, gravely infringe upon Venezuela’s sovereignty, and severely damage the rights of the Venezuelan people,” Mao stated.

The spokeswoman said China and other countries have “legitimate rights in Venezuela, which must be protected”.

PressTV report