China Criticizes U.S. Actions, Ponders Taiwan Strategy

China Criticizes U.S. Actions, Ponders Taiwan Strategy (Full Transcript)

Social media in China debates U.S. tactics in Venezuela. Concerns arise about repercussions for Taiwan and territorial issues in the South China Sea.

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[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Chinese social media is abuzz after Washington's strike against Venezuela, with many wondering would Beijing deploy the same methods in a military takeover of Taiwan by capturing the island's leadership? China's official response has been taking more of a moral high ground. In a thinly veiled criticism of the U.S., Chinese leader Xi Jinping highlighted how unilateral bullying has been wreaking havoc on the global order and urging unnamed major powers to take a lead in respecting international law. China had been one of Venezuela's closest allies. Economically, Beijing had been propping up Maduro through loans, investments, and oil purchases worth billions of U.S. dollars. One of Maduro's last appearances before his capture was a meeting with a visiting Chinese delegation. Beijing has since expressed shock and condemnation and also urging the immediate release of Maduro and his wife. And yet, some others worry Trump's tactics in Venezuela could embolden China to take similar so-called law enforcement actions not only against Taiwan, but also other smaller neighbors over territorial disputes like in the South China Sea.