No talks between China and Venezuela opposition Beijing says, instead it’s ‘fake news’
- Wall Street Journal report dismissed as false
- Chinese spokeswoman repeats call for dialogue to resolve the Venezuela crisis
China has dismissed as “fake news” a newspaper report that its diplomats held talks with the political opposition in Venezuela to protect its investments in the Latin American country.
The Wall Street Journal said the diplomats, concerned about oil projects in Venezuela and almost US$20 billion that Caracas owes Beijing, had held talks in Washington with representatives of Juan Guaido, the opposition leader heading US-backed efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
“In fact the report is false. It’s fake news,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday when asked about the article.
Venezuela’s “affairs” should be resolved via dialogue, Hua said, reiterating China’s previous stance.
China calls for peaceful dialogue on Venezuela crisis
Guaido invoked a constitutional provision to assume the presidency three weeks ago, arguing that Maduro’s re-election last year was a sham.