China on Monday sharply criticised the United States for intercepting a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast, calling the action a “serious violation of international law.” Beijing’s response marks its strongest public reaction yet to Washington’s expanding maritime enforcement campaign against Venezuela’s oil exports.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters that Venezuela “has the right to develop relations with other countries” and that China “firmly opposes all unilateral and illegal sanctions.” Lin urged the U.S. to “respect international law and the norms of international relations” and to avoid actions that could escalate regional tensions.
U.S. Intercepts Sanctioned Tanker Carrying Venezuelan Crude
The criticism followed Washington’s interception on Saturday of the oil tanker Centuries in international waters off Venezuela, the second such seizure in a week. The operation came days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” targeting all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving the South American country.
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the Centuries had loaded 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude oil and was bound for China under a false flag, operating under the name “Crag.” The cargo was reportedly purchased by Satau Tijana Oil Trading, an intermediary involved in Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA’s sales to independent Chinese refiners.
A White House spokesperson said the tanker formed part of Venezuela’s “shadow fleet” and accused it of carrying sanctioned oil in violation of U.S. restrictions. The official described the ship as a “falsely flagged vessel” engaged in illicit trade designed to evade sanctions.
Venezuela and China Denounce “Piracy”
Venezuela’s government condemned the interception as “a serious act of international piracy,” saying it violated the country’s sovereignty and international maritime law. Caracas has been seeking to maintain crude exports despite years of U.S. sanctions targeting its energy sector.
China, which remains Venezuela’s largest oil customer, continues to import roughly 4% of its total crude supply from the country. Beijing has consistently criticised U.S. secondary sanctions, arguing that they disrupt global trade and undermine developing nations’ economic rights.
Rising Geopolitical Tensions
The latest seizure underscores growing friction between Washington, Beijing and Caracas as the U.S. expands its maritime operations in the Caribbean and Atlantic to curb Venezuela’s sanctioned oil trade. Analysts warn that the move risks inflaming broader geopolitical tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Beijing has reiterated that its energy cooperation with Venezuela is based on “mutual respect and equality” and insists that such trade is lawful. Chinese officials have also urged all parties to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation in resolving disputes related to global energy markets.
With multiple U.S. naval operations now active in the region, observers say further seizures could heighten the standoff and disrupt crude flows from one of the world’s most heavily sanctioned oil producers.
with inputs from Reuters
