China to maintain its cooperation with Venezuela

China stated it would continue to maintain cooperation with Venezuela, after the United States shocked the world by carrying out a strike in the Latin American country and seizing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

"Cooperation between China and Venezuela is between two sovereign states and under the protection of international law and the laws of the two countries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.

"No matter how the political situation in Venezuela may evolve, China will remain committed to deepening practical cooperation with Venezuela in various fields," Lin said. "China's lawful interests in Venezuela will be protected in accordance with the law."

Lin reiterated China's grave concern over the US forcibly seizing Maduro and his wife and taking them out of Venezuela.

China supports the United Nations Security Council in convening an emergency session over the US' military strike on Venezuela, and backs the Security Council in playing its due role, Lin said.

China stands ready to work with the international community to uphold the UN Charter and international justice, he added.