ISTANBUL

China on Monday doubled down its condemnation of the US raid on Venezuela, and said it is “committed” to deepening cooperation with Caracas and believes that Beijing’s interests in the Latin American nation are “protected by law.”

“China respects sovereignty and independence and believes the government will properly handle its internal affairs according to constitution and the laws,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

He said China-Venezuela cooperation is “conducted between two sovereign states, (and) protected by international law and laws of the two countries.”

“No matter how the political situation in Venezuela may evolve, China is deeply committed to deepening the two countries’ practical cooperation in various fields and … legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese side in Venezuela will be protected in accordance with the law,” Lin said.

Beijing’s fresh comments came after the US launched a “large-scale” operation against Caracas on Saturday, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, who were flown to the US to face criminal charges at a court in New York.

Some 80 people were killed in the US raid, the New York Times reported, citing Venezuelan officials.

Maduro and Flores are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They face US federal charges tied to drug trafficking and alleged cooperation with gangs designated as terrorist organizations.

Maduro has denied the accusations, and officials in Venezuela’s capital Caracas have called for the couple’s release.

Asked by an Anadolu correspondent about Maduro’s meeting with China's special representative hours ahead of the US raid, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin said it “is the job” of Qiu Xiaoqi to visit Latin American countries.

“China and the Venezuelan government have maintained friendly exchanges and cooperation,” he added.

Maduro met with Qiu at the Miraflores Palace on Friday.

“We reaffirmed our commitment to the strategic relationship that is progressing and strengthening in various areas for building a multipolar world of development and peace,” Maduro had said after the meeting.

Lin also urged the US to ensure the safety of the captured Venezuelan president and his wife, and to stop violating the sovereignty and security of other nations.

Regarding the US "running" Venezuela, Lin said that other countries should "respect the path chosen by" the Latin American nation and help restore stability in the country.

China "supports the UN Security Council to play its due role in accordance with its mandate," said Lin as the top executive body of the UN was set to convene on Monday to debate the US raid on the Latin American nation.

He said China will be a "good friend" to Latin American nations and "opposes" any move that violates the sovereignty of any nation in the region.

Responding to US President Donald Trump’s statement on Greenland and that the Arctic nation is “covered with” Chinese ships, Lin said: "We urge the US to stop using the so-called 'China threat' as an excuse for self-seeking purposes," Beijing-based Global Times reported.