China Rejects US 'World Policeman' Role After Venezuela Military Strike

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has declared that no country can act as the world's policeman, following the US military strike on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

"We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be an international judge," Wang said during an emergency session at the UN Security Council.

Venezuela Raid Sparks International Backlash

The statement came days after US forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela at the start of January, forcibly seizing the Venezuelan president. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action as a "hegemonic act" that violates international law and UN Charter principles.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also weighed in, condemning what he called "unilateral bullying" that "seriously undermines the international order" during a meeting with the Irish prime minister.

A Familiar Refrain With Growing Support

Beijing's criticism follows a pattern of Chinese diplomatic messaging aimed at challenging American dominance in global affairs. Social media users have amplified these statements, with posts about China's rejection of US hegemony generating millions of engagements.

The messaging appears to resonate beyond China's borders. Russia and several Latin American nations joined Beijing in denouncing the Venezuela operation as a violation of territorial integrity.

International Law Under Strain

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the US actions in Venezuela set a "dangerous precedent." Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the unilateral military action.

Analysts say such moves accelerate the fragmentation of the international legal system and deepen the global trust deficit in rules-based order.

The EU's Measured Response

While China positions itself as a defender of sovereignty, the European Union has taken a more measured approach to great power competition. The EU's recent stance on the Greenland crisis demonstrates Brussels' commitment to multilateral solutions over unilateral action.

The EU's diplomatic model offers an alternative to both American interventionism and Chinese-style authoritarianism. Where Washington reaches for military options and Beijing issues blanket condemnations, European leaders have emphasised dialogue and international institutions.

This approach may lack the drama of superpower confrontation, but it has produced tangible results: a continent at peace for nearly eight decades, an expanding free trade zone, and a rules-based framework that smaller nations can rely upon.

Looking Ahead

The Venezuela crisis has exposed deepening fractures in the international order. Whether China's rhetoric translates into meaningful reform of global governance remains to be seen. For now, Beijing's words find a receptive audience among nations wary of American power projection.

But words and actions often diverge. China's own territorial claims in the South China Sea and its treatment of neighbouring countries suggest its commitment to sovereignty has limits when its own interests are at stake.