Beijing Urges US to Lift All ‘Illegal Sanctions’ Amid Venezuela-Related Restrictions on Chinese Firm

Washington blacklisted the China National Electronic Import-Export Company (CEIEC) for aiding the Venezuelan government, vowing to block all transactions with the firm or any entity that owns a 50 percent or higher stake in it.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has slammed the “illegal sanctions” against CEIEC, calling on the US to lift the restrictions and promised to take the necessary steps in order to safeguard its interests. According to the US, the Chinese company helped Caracas in restricting internet access and conducting surveillance, while Beijing stressed it had supported Venezuela in defending its sovereignty.

The technology company has been supporting the Venezuelan government’s cyber efforts since 2017, according to the US Treasury Department. Washington claims that Beijing uses similar technology, dubbed the “Great Firewall”, to control the information flow in the country.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza talks next to Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela, November 5, 2020.

The Latin American country has been a target of the US sanctions for at least 5 years. The restriction, targeting oil company PDVSA and other entities escalated after Washington refused to recognise 2018 presidential elections and backed the self-proclaimed Interim President Juan Guaido, who at the time headed the country’s National Assembly.

According to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the US and its allies were using sanctions to depose him and get access to the country’s assets and oil and gas resources.

Sourse: sputniknews.com