Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made headlines during his visit to Beijing when he responded to a question in English by telling the reporter to speak Mandarin instead. The exchange was captured on video and quickly spread on social media.
Maduro’s comment came at the end of his six-day visit to China, where he aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. During his visit, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and signed over 30 working documents, covering areas such as trade and energy cooperation.
In a press conference, Maduro emphasized the importance of a new world order, stating, “We are in the 21st century, the century of the end of hegemonism and imperialism, the century in which a different, multipolar, and multicentric world was born for peace and unity.” He described the relationship between China and Venezuela as the “fourth stage of heroic resistance,” highlighting China’s support in the face of sanctions imposed by the US and its allies.
Venezuela has been under an economic blockade by the US and the EU since 2019, following Washington’s recognition of opposition politician Juan Guaido as the “interim president” and subsequent attempts at regime change. The West also seized Venezuelan gold and sovereign funds, handing them over to Guaido’s “government.” However, these efforts faltered after an abortive military coup, with the leaders seeking refuge in Western embassies. Guaido lost his seat in the legislature last year.
To counter the US sanctions, Maduro has been actively seeking closer ties with non-Western countries such as China, Russia, and Iran. In Beijing, one of the deals he signed involved exporting Venezuelan coffee, avocados, fish, and octopus to the Chinese market.
Maduro’s instruction to speak Mandarin reflects his desire to shift away from Western influence and strengthen ties with countries in the East. As he declared, “It’s a new world,” highlighting the evolving dynamics of global power and the need for countries like Venezuela to adapt.
The incident involving Maduro’s response to the English question gained attention not only for its novelty but also for its symbolic significance. It serves as a reminder that the balance of power is shifting, with countries like China gaining more influence on the global stage.
Maduro’s visit to China demonstrates Venezuela’s determination to navigate through the economic challenges imposed by the US and increase cooperation with other nations. By forging partnerships with countries outside of the Western sphere, Venezuela hopes to mitigate the impact of sanctions and secure new markets for its products.
In conclusion, President Maduro’s instruction to speak Mandarin during his visit to Beijing reflects Venezuela’s efforts to embrace a multipolar world order and seek closer ties with non-Western nations. The incident serves as a reminder of the shifting dynamics in global politics and Venezuela’s determination to overcome economic challenges through international cooperation.
Source link
