On January 7, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked about the U.S. forcible detention of President Maduro and his wife. Mao Ning stated that China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and have not been authorized by the UN Security Council, and opposes external forces interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext. The U.S. government’s coercive detention of President Maduro and his wife clearly violates international law and the basic norms of international relations, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China once again calls on the U.S. to immediately release President Maduro and his wife and resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation. (CCTV News)