China has been boosting its diplomacy and investment in Latin America for years, challenging US influence in Washington’s backyard. So, Beijing would also be concerned about what the crisis in Venezuela means for China’s interests in the oil-rich country and for its influence in the region. For years, Beijing has extended credit to Venezuela in loan-for-oil deals, which has made China the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude. Last month, a tanker bound for China and thought to be carrying Venezuelan oil was seized by US forces as part of Trump’s campaign against Maduro’s regime. Venezuelan oil only accounts for about 4 percent of China’s total imports.

Source: Taipei Times January 08, 2026 16:32 UTC