China’s Xi Criticises ‘Unilateral, Bullying Acts’ in Apparent Swipe at US Over Venezuela

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday issued a veiled criticism of the United States, urging major powers to respect.

The development paths chosen by other countries and adhere to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, according to state-run Xinhua.

Speaking during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Beijing, Xi said global stability depended on leading nations setting an example by upholding international norms. He warned that in an increasingly uncertain and turbulent world, “unilateral” and “bullying” actions were seriously undermining the international order.

Xi’s remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including developments in Venezuela that have attracted widespread international attention.

China had reinforced its position a day earlier, strongly opposing what it described as the United States’ forcible control of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Beijing warned against unilateral “bullying” behaviour and said no country had the right to act as the world’s “policeman” or an “international judge.”

Addressing 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 added that the global situation was becoming increasingly volatile, with unilateral actions growing more pronounced.

Referring to the situation in Venezuela, Wang said recent developments had drawn close international scrutiny. “We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be an international judge,” he said, stressing that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity 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 safeguard global peace and development. He reiterated Beijing’s call for building a “community with a shared future for humanity” through dialogue, cooperation and adherence to international law.

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. His wife, 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.”