Maduro Welcomes Xi’s Envoy, Strengthens Unbreakable Brotherhood with China

President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela held a significant meeting on Friday with Qiu Xiaoqi, China’s special envoy for Latin American affairs. This gathering took place at the Miraflores Palace and comes amid escalating military tensions with the United States in the Caribbean. Key attendees included Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela Lan Hu and Wang Hao from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.

Strengthening the Unbreakable Brotherhood with China

The meeting emphasized the unbreakable bond between Caracas and Beijing. The Venezuelan presidency highlighted this relationship in the context of resisting unilateral coercive measures and striving for sovereign development for the Global South.

During the meeting, Qiu Xiaoqi reaffirmed that China and Venezuela are “strategic partners without doubts.” The Chinese delegation’s presence underscored the importance of their bilateral ties beyond mere commerce and energy; they are viewed as essential political allies in the region.

Maduro’s Remarks on China-Venezuela Relations

Maduro expressed gratitude towards Xi Jinping for the enduring partnership, referring to him as a “big brother.” He stated, “I am very happy to greet you all. Thank you for your happiness.” Maduro also noted the importance of the strategic relationship, which is advancing and strengthening across various sectors, fostering a multipolar world of development and peace.

Context of Military Tensions

The visit occurred during a period of heightened military pressure from the U.S. towards Venezuela, including recent interceptions of oil tankers. Beijing criticized these actions, labeling them significant violations of international law, and assured Caracas of its opposition to any form of unilateralism.

Trade Relations: Oil Exports

China is the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil, accounting for about 4% of its imports. Analysts projected that oil shipments from Venezuela to China in December would average over 600,000 barrels per day. In recent months, China absorbed approximately 80% of Venezuela’s oil exports, significantly impacting the Venezuelan economy.

• Key Participants:
  • Nicolás Maduro – President of Venezuela
  • Qiu Xiaoqi – Chinese Special Envoy
  • Lan Hu – Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela
  • Delcy Rodríguez – Venezuelan Executive Vice President
• Context:
  • U.S. military pressure on Venezuela
  • Interceptions of oil vessels
  • China’s condemnation of U.S. actions
• Trade Statistics:
  

  Statistic	Value
  China’s share of Venezuelan oil exports	80%
  Projected barrels per day in December	600,000+
  China’s share of import from Venezuela	4%

This cooperation illustrates the commitment between Venezuela and China, showcasing their strategic partnership in the face of external pressures.