Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning

China firmly opposes the US setting restrictions on China-Venezuela cooperation by issuing so-called "general licenses," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday. 

Mao was asked to comment on media reports that the US Department of the Treasury last Friday issued Venezuela-related general licenses for mineral investment and operations and claimed these general licenses, which exclude China, Russia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cuba and Iran, were part of efforts to bring the Venezuelan economy back online and benefit Americans and Venezuelans.

China's lawful rights and interests in Venezuela must be safeguarded. What the US needs to do is lift illicit unilateral sanctions on Venezuela at once, rather than use so-called "general licenses" to whitewash its moves of undermining the lawful rights and interests of Venezuela and other relevant parties, Mao said.

On March 27, the US Treasury Department issued new, Venezuela-related general licenses for critical mineral investment and operations, Reuters reported.

The licenses authorize "the supply of certain items and services for minerals operations" and "negotiations of and entry into contingent contracts for certain investment ‌in ⁠Venezuela's minerals sector," per Reuters.

Reuters reported in January, citing a report in 2018 by the country's mining ministry, that Venezuela had estimated coal reserves of about 3 billion metric tons and 407,885 metric tons of nickel reserves.

That same report estimated a gold resource of 644 metric tons, an iron ore resource of 14.68 billion metric tons and a bauxite resource of 321.5 million metric tons.

On February 3, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily press briefing that China supports Venezuela in safeguarding its sovereignty, dignity and legitimate rights, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

China will work with the international community to resolutely defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the fundamental principles of international justice, and international fairness, Lin added.


Global Times