Xi Jinping accuses “unilateral actions that seriously affect the international order”. The first reaction of the leader of China, after the capture of Maduro

Beijing, an ally of the regime in Caracas, has already reacted harshly, asking the US to release the Venezuelan leader, writes Reuters.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that the world is “passing through a period of turbulence and change,” noting that “unilateral and intimidating actions are seriously affecting international order,” according to public broadcaster CCTV, quoted by CNN.

Without mentioning the United States or Venezuela, Xi said “all countries should respect development paths independently chosen by the peoples of other nations,” CCTV reported.

He added that they must “respect international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, especially the great powers, who must set the tone,” according to CCTV.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, CCTV said.

Also on Monday, China's Foreign Ministry reiterated Beijing's position, calling for the immediate release of Nicolas Maduro.

China is deeply concerned about the capture of Maduro and his wife by the US and is closely monitoring the security situation, ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news conference.

China has maintained positive communication and cooperation with the Venezuelan government, Lin said.

Beijing, an ally of the Caracas regime, reacted harshly on Saturday after US special forces kidnapped Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

“China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the United States against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country,” the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said.

“China firmly opposes such hegemonic behavior by the United States, which seriously violates international law, violates Venezuela's sovereignty, and threatens peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. We ask the United States to respect international law, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating the sovereignty and security of other countries.”

China later called on the United States to immediately release Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Hours before his capture by the United States. Maduro had met with a Chinese emissary.

Maduro welcomed Qiu Xiaoqi, the Chinese government's special representative for Latin American affairs, to the Miraflores presidential palace on Friday, where he reaffirmed Caracas' strategic ties with Beijing and pledged to build what he called “a multipolar world of development and peace.”