China, which was purchasing mostly Venezuelan oil, has limited itself to statements criticizing the US intervention in Venezuela. However, the abduction of Nicolas Maduro, in violation of international law, has offered China a blank check to launch an attack on Taiwan.

Beijing is likely to limit its response to diplomatic protest rather than hard power, analysts tell Al Jazeera.

El mandatario, uno de los principales aliados de Maduro, reclama que todos los países respeten “el derecho de otros pueblos a elegir de manera independiente su propio camino de…