(Jan 8): Leading Chinese oil companies with interests in Venezuela have asked Beijing for guidance on how to protect their investments, as Washington cranks up pressure on the Latin American country to increase its economic ties with the US. Top Beijing officials are separately reviewing events and trying to better understand corporate exposure, while planning for scenarios including a worst case where China’s investments would go to zero, they added. Venezuela, with few other friends, has been among the most important beneficiaries of this largesse — in part because of its vast oil wealth. China first extended financing for infrastructure and oil projects in 2007, under former president Hugo Chavez. Public data supports estimates that Beijing had lent upwards of US$60 billion in oil-backed loans through state-run banks by 2015.

Source: The Edge Markets January 08, 2026 03:21 UTC