Beijing: China on Monday condemned the US military’s move to seize Venezuelan oil tankers in international waters, saying that the “arbitrary action” constitutes a serious violation of international law.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the comments while responding to a question on the US Coast Guard’s seizure of an oil tanker on December 20, which a White House official claimed belonged to a so-called “shadow fleet.”
The arbitrary seizure of foreign vessels by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law, Lin said.
BEIJING: (Dec 22) China on Monday condemned the US military’s move to seize Venezuelan oil tankers in international waters, saying that the “arbitrary action” constitutes a serious violation of international law.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the comments while responding to a question on the US Coast Guard’s seizure of an oil tanker on December 20, which a White House official claimed belonged to a so-called “shadow fleet.”
The arbitrary seizure of foreign vessels by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law, Lin said.
A White House spokesman said the “falsely flagged vessel” carried sanctioned oil and was part of Venezuela’s shadow fleet.
The Venezuelan government called the tanker interception a “serious act of international piracy”.
China is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude, which accounts for roughly 4 per cent of its imports.
