On January 5, at an emergency open meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Venezuela, Ambassador Sun Lei, the acting head of the Chinese mission to the United Nations, stated that China was deeply shocked and strongly condemned the U.S. unilateral, illegal, and bullying actions, and called on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife and to release them immediately.
Sun Lei said that on January 3, the U.S. brazenly launched a large-scale military strike against Venezuela, forcibly controlled President Maduro and his wife and moved them out of the country, claiming to "manage" Venezuela, and even not ruling out a larger-scale military operation in the second round. China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the U.S. unilateral, illegal, and bullying actions.
Sun Lei pointed out that for some time, the international community has repeatedly expressed strong concerns about the U.S. sanctions, blockades, and military threats against Venezuela. The Security Council held two emergency meetings, and Secretary-General Guterres, a large number of Security Council members, regional countries, and extra-regional countries have consistently called for compliance with the UN Charter and international law, maintaining calm and restraint, resolving disputes peacefully, promoting de-escalation of the situation, and safeguarding regional stability.
Sun Lei said that however, as a permanent member of the Security Council, the U.S. ignored the serious concerns of the international community, trampled on Venezuela's sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, seriously violated the principle of sovereign equality, the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, the principle of peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the principle of no use of force in international relations. These principles are the fundamental essence of the UN Charter and form the cornerstone of maintaining international peace and security. The U.S. has placed its own power above multilateralism, and military action above diplomatic efforts, seriously threatening the peace and security of Latin America and the Caribbean region and the international community. China firmly opposes this, and the international community generally expresses serious concerns and strongly condemns it. We urge the U.S. to face the overwhelming call of the international community, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, stop infringing on the sovereignty and security of other countries, stop subverting the Venezuelan regime, and return to the track of political solutions through dialogue and negotiations. We call on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife and to release them immediately. We support the Security Council in fulfilling its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security, and support all efforts by the UN Secretary-General, regional countries, and organizations that help promote dialogue and de-escalate the situation.
Sun Lei emphasized that the lessons of history are fresh, and military means are not the way to solve problems. Abuse of force only leads to greater crises. The U.S. once bypassed the Security Council to launch a military operation against Iraq, brazenly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities, imposed economic sanctions, military strikes, and even armed occupation on many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, causing continuous conflicts, instability, and great humanitarian suffering. Have these actions brought peace and stability? Have they brought development and prosperity? The international community sees clearly.
Sun Lei said that Venezuela is an independent sovereign state and has the right to defend its sovereignty and national dignity. Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are important forces in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity, and have the right to independently choose their development paths and partners. No country can act as an international policeman, and no country can claim to be an international judge. China firmly supports the Venezuelan government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, and firmly supports regional countries in maintaining the status of a peaceful zone in Latin America and the Caribbean. We call on the U.S. to change its approach, stop bullying and coercive actions, and develop relations and cooperate with regional countries based on mutual respect, equality, and non-interference in internal affairs. China is willing to work with regional countries and the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly maintain the peace and stability of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Source: CCTV News Client
Author: Xu Dezhi Cao Jian
Original: toutiao.com/article/7591930477242597915/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.