US urged to heed international community regarding Venezuela

China has urged the United States to heed the "overwhelming voice" of the international community, cease infringing on other countries' sovereignty and security, stop toppling Venezuela's government, and return to dialogue and negotiations for political solutions.

Speaking at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, two days after US military strikes on Venezuela, Sun Lei, charge d'affaires of China's UN Mission, urged the US to ensure the safety of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and to release them immediately.

Maduro pleaded not guilty in New York federal court to charges of narco-terrorism on Monday.

The emergency session was convened after a large-scale US military operation on Saturday, during which US forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transported them out of the country.

Addressing the Council, Sun expressed China's "deep shock" and strong condemnation of what he called the "unilateral, illegal and bullying acts" of the United States.

"The US has placed its own power above multilateralism and military actions above diplomatic efforts," Sun said, warning that such actions pose a grave threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean and even internationally.

He emphasized that the US military strikes "wantonly trampled" upon Venezuela's sovereignty and violated core tenets of the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

"The lessons of history are a stark warning," Sun said, noting that military means are not the solution to international problems and that the indiscriminate use of force would only lead to greater crises.

He cited past US actions, including bypassing the Security Council to launch military operations against Iraq, attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, and the imposition of economic sanctions, military strikes and armed occupations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Those actions caused persistent conflict, instability and immense suffering for ordinary people. "Did these actions bring peace and stability? Did they bring development and prosperity?" he asked, saying the international community could see the answers clearly.

The envoy noted that Venezuela is an independent sovereign state with every right to defend its sovereignty and national dignity.

Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are important forces in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity and have the right to independently choose their development paths and partners, he said.

"No country can act as the world's police, nor can any country presume to be the international judge," Sun said.

In his speech, Sun reiterated that China firmly supports the Venezuelan government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests, he said, and supports regional countries in upholding Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.

He called on the United States to change course, cease bullying and coercive practices, and develop relations and cooperation with regional countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and noninterference.

China stands ready to work with regional countries and the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, he concluded.