China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday (22) that the seizure of ships from another country by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law, after the US intercepted an oil tanker bound for China off the Venezuelan coast.
Venezuela has the right to develop relations with other countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily press briefing, adding that China opposes all “unilateral and illegal” sanctions.
“The United States’ arbitrary detention of vessels from other nations constitutes a serious violation of international law. China has consistently opposed illegal and unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law or authorization from the United Nations Security Council,” Jian said.
On Saturday (20), the US Coast Guard intercepted a second oil tanker in international waters off the Venezuelan coast, days after President Donald Trump announced sanctions entering and leaving Venezuela.
The tanker, Centuries, loaded into Venezuela under the false name “Crag” and was transporting about 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil from the Merey field bound for China, according to documents.
The crude oil was purchased by Satau Tijana Oil Trading, one of many intermediaries involved in sales by Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA to independent Chinese refiners, according to the documents.
A White House spokesman said the “false flag ship” was carrying sanctioned oil and was part of Venezuela’s parallel fleet.
The Venezuelan government classified the interception of the oil tanker as a “serious act of “.
China is the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil, accounting for around 4% of its imports.
