Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning

Mao Ning, spokesperson from China's Foreign Ministry, told the press conference on Monday that Latin American countries are all sovereign and independent nations with the right to independently choose their partners. 

These remarks were made in response to a media inquiry regarding reports which said that US President Donald Trump, when meeting with oil executives at White House, claimed that China and Russia can only purchase Venezuelan crude oil under US control, and if the US didn't take control of Venezuela's oil, Russia or China would have. Reuters also reported that among the many goals of US military operation in Venezuela was to send China a message: stay away from the Americas.

No matter how the situation changes, China will continue to deepen practical cooperation with Latin American countries, including Venezuela, and promote common development, Mao said.

Global Times