China says it regrets decision by Inter-American Development Bank to cancel meeting in Sichuan
- No reason given for cancellation but announcement comes after US Vice-President Mike Pence says Beijing refused to grant a visa to the Venezuelan representative designated by opposition leader Juan Guaido
- IDB was the first international financial organisation to recognise Guaido as the legitimate president of the South American country
China’s foreign ministry said on Saturday it regretted the decision by the Inter-American Development Bank to cancel a meeting scheduled for next week in the southwestern city of Chengdu.
The IDB said in a press release on Friday it was calling off its general assembly, which was planned for March 28-31 in the capital of Sichuan province, amid a dispute over the participation of a Venezuelan representative opposed by Beijing.
While the bank did not give a reason for its decision, the foreign ministry said it bore no responsibility for it.
Reuters also quoted sources as saying that China – one of the Venezuelan government’s few remaining international allies – had proposed not inviting representatives from either the Maduro or Guaido camps to “de-politicise” the meeting.