China demands that the United States immediately release Maduro and his wife.

The U.S. White House posted a video on its Rapid Response 47 account on social media platform X, showing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (center) appearing at the headquarters of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Lower Manhattan, New York City, local time Saturday (January 3). (AFP)

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the U.S. government to immediately release Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife and to cease efforts to subvert Venezuela’s government.

On Sunday (January 4), responding to reporters’ questions on the ministry’s official website regarding the U.S. forcibly detaining Mr. and Mrs. Maduro, the spokesperson said China expressed grave concern over the U.S. action of forcibly taking control of the couple and removing them from the country.

The spokesperson stressed that the U.S. conduct clearly violates international law and fundamental norms of international relations, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Beijing urged Washington to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife, immediately release them, halt attempts to overthrow Venezuela’s government, and resolve differences through dialogue and negotiations.

On Saturday (January 3) local time, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered large-scale airstrikes on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and other locations. U.S. military forces even entered Venezuelan territory, apprehended President Maduro and his wife, and escorted them out of the country.

Trump posted on social media that Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been arrested and removed from the country. He later added that the couple had been brought before a court in New York.

The U.S. actions have triggered international shock and widespread expressions of concern. Russia condemned the U.S. move as unjustified and strongly urged Washington to release the Maduros. The European Union called on all parties to exercise restraint to de-escalate tensions and support a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. Beijing expressed profound shock and issued a strong condemnation over Washington’s brazen use of force against a sovereign state and its direct targeting of another nation’s head of state.

According to Venezuelan media reports, President Maduro met on Friday (January 2) in Caracas with Qiu Xiaoqi, Special Envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and other Chinese representatives.