Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 14:11 IST

Xi warned that in a world marked by growing uncertainty and turmoil, “unilateral” and “bullying” actions are seriously undermining the international order.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday made an indirect reference to the United States, calling on major powers to respect the development paths chosen by other nations and adhere to international law and the principles of the UN Charter, reported Xinhua. Xi said global stability depends on leading countries setting an example by upholding these norms.

Speaking during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Beijing, Xi warned that in a world marked by growing uncertainty and turmoil, “unilateral” and “bullying” actions are seriously undermining the international order.

His remarks come amid rising geopolitical friction, including recent developments in Venezuela that have drawn sharp international scrutiny.

China reinforced that position a day earlier, strongly opposing what it described as the United States’ forcible control of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Beijing warned against unilateral “bullying” and asserted that no country has the right to act as the world’s “policeman” or an “international judge” in an increasingly volatile global landscape.

Addressing the seventh Round of the China–Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China “always opposes the use or threat of force, as well as any imposition of one country’s will on another.” He added that the international situation is becoming more volatile, with unilateral bullying growing more severe.

“The sudden change of situation in Venezuela has drawn high attention from the international community,” Wang said. Emphasising sovereignty, he added, “We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be an international judge,” stressing that the sovereignty and security of all nations must be protected under international law.

Wang further said China remains committed to working with the international community, including Pakistan, to uphold the UN Charter, respect international norms, and safeguard global peace and development. He reiterated China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, underscoring dialogue, cooperation and adherence to international law as the path forward.

According to the statement, Maduro was captured by US forces during a military operation on Saturday and is currently in American custody, with Delcy Rodríguez taking charge late Sunday as Venezuela’s acting president. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump issued a warning, saying she must grant the United States “total access” or face consequences “probably worse than Maduro.”

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