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China expresses serious concern over the US' forcible control of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and their transfer out of the country. The US' move is in clear violation of international law and the basic norms in international relations and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday in response to reports that on January 3, the US sent forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and took them out of the country and the governments of multiple countries have voiced opposition.

China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, the spokesperson said.

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the US carried out a "large scale strike against Venezuela" and claimed that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country. Trump also posted on social media a photo of Maduro on board USS Iwo Jima after captured as the latest development of the US military operation. 

The US military action against the South American nation has shocked the international community. Several countries have issued strong condemnations over the US for its attack on Venezuela. 

On Saturday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has voiced the deep shock and strong condemnation against the US blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it. We call on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security, the spokesperson said.