Big Take Asia How Venezuela Shifts China’s Calculus
9 snips
Jan 6, 2026 Jenni Marsh, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in Greater China politics and economics, dives into the seismic shockwaves following the U.S. military strike on Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro. She discusses how this intervention complicates China's strategic ties, especially regarding oil supplies, and could alter Beijing's stance on Taiwan. Marsh also explores the implications for Chinese investments in Latin America and the shifting focus towards minerals and electric vehicle markets, underscoring a potential shift in global power dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China Was Caught Off Guard
- China strongly condemned the U.S. strike on Venezuela and appeared caught off guard by the operation's speed.
- Beijing's swift reaction reflected concern about its close political and economic ties with Maduro's government.
Awkward Optics With Chinese Delegation
- Maduro's last public meeting before his capture was with a Chinese diplomatic delegation, creating awkward optics for Beijing.
- That coincidence suggested China's intelligence and situational awareness may have been lacking.
Venezuela Oil Fills Strategic Niches
- Venezuela supplied oil to China under credit arrangements that helped service about $60 billion in loans.
- Venezuelan crude is small in volume but valuable to China's independent refiners because it's cheap and high-sulfur.