A think tank reported in June that Venezuela's radar fleet suffered shortages of spare parts amid "minimum" Chinese tech support.

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.

Not only did America capture one of China’s closest South American allies, it also exposed the limits of Chinese power. Some have asked whether America’s actions in Caracas could pave the way for something similar in Taipei.

Beijing has lent billions to Caracas in recent decades, and the fate of money it is owed is in question after the ouster of Venezuela’s leader.

China said the Taiwan question is an internal matter for the Chinese people. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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.

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.