Hong Kong, Jan. 13 -- China was taken by surprise when US forces swooped in to seize Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro on 3 January 2026. An official Chinese delegation had even been meeting with Maduro in his palace just hours before his capture. The loss of Maduro's friendship is a blow to Beijing, as Venezuela is the only Latin American country possessing a high-level strategic partnership with China.

However, China's overall reaction has been muted. China's Foreign Ministry issued an immediate rebuke, with spokesman Lin Jian saying, "Cooperation between China and Venezuela is between two sovereign states and under the protection of international law and the laws of the two countries." Lin added, "China's lawful interests in Venezu...