China's immediate priority in the wake of the U.S. attack on Venezuela is to protect economic interests, analysts said.

China criticized the Trump administration’s reported call for Venezuela to sever its alliances with US rivals, labeling the move a “bullying act” as their competition for influence in the region emerges as a new source of friction.

HOUSTON: Global oil prices fell on Wednesday (Jan 7) and China denounced the US as a bully after President Donald Trump's administration said it had persuaded Venezuela to divert supplies from Beijing and import up to US$2 billion worth of embargoed crude.

The U.S. striking Venezuela and capturing its leader has practical implications for China, Russia, Iran and Cuba, and it also sends messages to each nation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was said to have listed the Trump administration’s demands to Venezuela’s new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, in a classified meeting Monday with senior congressional leaders.

The U.S. attack on Venezuela will embolden China to strengthen its territorial claims over areas such as Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea but will not hasten any potential invasion of Taiwan, analysts said.

US President Donald Trump says interim authorities in Venezuela agree to transfer up to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to US - Anadolu Ajansı

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US special operations forces, and details China’s response to the operation including the impact this will have on China-Venezuela oil deals.