Why China is calling Trump’s Venezuela strike a strategic gift

Donald Trump’s dramatic seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was meant to project American power and deterrence. But in Beijing, the move is being interpreted very differently — as a strategic windfall that strengthens China’s long-running argument that the United States preaches international rules while breaking them when convenient. From Taiwan to the South China Sea, Chinese officials believe Washington has handed them powerful diplomatic ammunition.

What exactly did Trump do in Venezuela?

On January 3, US forces captured Venezuelan President “Nicolas Maduro” and transferred him to New York, where he is expected to face drug-trafficking charges. The operation was authorised by US President “Donald Trump”, who defended it as a necessary step against a “narco-state” threatening regional security.

For China, the symbolism mattered as much as the substance. Maduro was not just another foreign leader, but Beijing’s closest partner in Latin America — an “all-weather” ally that had deepened economic and strategic ties with China over two decades. His sudden removal by US forces sent shockwaves through Chinese diplomatic and policy circles.

Why Beijing sees a paradox working in its favour

In Chinese eyes, Trump’s action created a strategic paradox. While Washington sought to demonstrate resolve, Beijing believes the move undermines US claims of moral leadership and respect for international law.

Chinese state media swiftly framed the seizure as proof that America’s “rules-based international order” is selective and self-serving. The official Xinhua news agency described the operation as exposing a “predatory order based on US interests”, reinforcing a narrative China has long pushed in the Global South.

Without naming Washington directly, Chinese President “Xi Jinping” warned that unilateral acts of hegemony are eroding the international system — a line that resonated strongly in Beijing’s messaging after the Venezuela episode.

How Venezuela strengthens China’s Taiwan argument

China does not see the Maduro seizure as changing its immediate military calculus over “Taiwan”. Decisions on Taiwan remain driven by internal political priorities and military readiness. But diplomatically, the episode is viewed as a gift.

For years, Washington has criticised China’s actions around Taiwan and in the “South China Sea” as violations of international law. Trump’s unilateral action, analysts say, weakens Washington’s ability to sustain that critique without facing accusations of hypocrisy.

Beijing is unlikely to formally draw parallels between Venezuela and Taiwan — which it considers an internal matter — but the contrast allows China to portray itself as a defender of sovereignty and stability, especially to developing countries wary of Western interventionism.

Why the UN has become central to China’s strategy

China, along with Russia, has pushed for a debate at the “United Nations Security Council” on the legality of Trump’s decision. The aim is less about rescuing Maduro and more about challenging US legitimacy.

Chinese officials have framed the issue as one of principle. Foreign Minister Wang Yi argued that no country should act as the world’s police or judge, insisting that sovereignty must be protected under international law. UN Secretary-General “Antonio Guterres” also warned that seizing a sitting head of state could set a dangerous precedent — a point Beijing has amplified.

For China, the UN stage offers an opportunity to rally opinion across Africa, Asia and Latin America, reinforcing its claim to represent a more restrained and rules-oriented global leadership.

The costs for China behind the diplomatic advantage

Despite the rhetorical gains, the episode is also a blow to China’s image as a reliable long-term partner. Venezuela was Beijing’s closest ally in Latin America, benefiting from billions of dollars in Chinese investment, especially in oil infrastructure, after Western sanctions intensified.

The sudden removal of Maduro raises uncomfortable questions for other countries aligned with China’s Global Security Initiative: how much protection can Beijing really offer when confronted by direct US military power?

There are economic stakes too. China has been Venezuela’s largest oil customer, and while markets have so far absorbed the shock, prolonged instability could complicate energy ties and investment plans.

Why Beijing still calls it a “strategic gift”

Ultimately, Chinese strategists believe the broader balance tilts in their favour. Trump’s move, they argue, reinforces Beijing’s core narrative: that the US-led order is coercive, unpredictable and driven by power rather than principle.

From Taiwan to the South China Sea, and from the UN to the Global South, China sees new “cheap ammunition” to counter US criticism and position itself as a champion of sovereignty and stability. Even as it absorbs the setback of losing a key ally, Beijing calculates that Washington has weakened its own moral standing — a trade-off China is more than willing to accept.