Wang Youming: Venezuela Raid Shows Rules-Based Order = Predatory Order Based on US Interests

Also in this edition, full coverage of Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Beijing.

Hi folks,

I hope everyone’s had a good start to the New Year. In today’s newsletter, I am covering four specific types of reports from the People’s Daily. I do recommend reading Wang Youming’s commentary on the US’ seizure of Nicolas Maduro.

I. China-Pakistan Ties

Wang Yi met with Mohammad Ishaq Dar for the seventh China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue. The readout says:

Wang Yi said that you are the first foreign minister received by the Chinese side in 2026, highlighting the unique friendship between China and Pakistan. It is hoped that this visit will serve as an opportunity to kick off the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China and Pakistan are connected by mountains and rivers, share intertwined interests, have close emotional ties, and share a common destiny. The two countries have forged an ironclad friendship through the tests of changing international circumstances. Mutual trust and mutual support have always been the unchanging underlying tone of China–Pakistan relations. Over the past year, President Xi Jinping has maintained high-level interactions with Pakistani leaders and provided strategic guidance for bilateral relations, making the China–Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership an important stabilising factor in the region and even in the international situation. In the new year, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to implement the consensus of the two countries’ leaders, consolidate strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, deepen security cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination, promote the China–Pakistan strategic partnership to have greater value for the times, and accelerate the building of a closer China–Pakistan community with a shared future. 王毅表示，你是中方2026年接待的首位外长，凸显中巴独一无二友好关系。希望以此访为契机，拉开两国建交75周年纪念活动序幕。中巴两国山水相连、利益交融、情感相亲、命运与共，双方在国际风云变幻考验中锻造了铁杆友谊。彼此信任、相互支持始终是中巴关系不变的底色。过去一年，习近平主席同巴方领导人保持高层交往，对两国关系予以战略指引，使中巴全天候战略合作伙伴成为本地区乃至国际局势中的重要稳定因素。新的一年，中方愿同巴方一道落实两国领导人共识，巩固战略互信，拓展务实合作，深化安全合作，加强多边协调，推动中巴战略伙伴关系更具时代价值，加快构建更加紧密的中巴命运共同体.

Wang Yi said that the current international situation is becoming more complex and turbulent, and unilateral bullying is becoming increasingly rampant. The sudden changes in the situation in Venezuela have aroused high attention from the international community, and the spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already stated China’s position. We have never believed that any one country can act as the international police, nor do we agree that any one country can claim itself to be an international judge. The sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected by international law. We consistently oppose the use or threat of use of force in international relations, and oppose imposing one country’s will on other countries. China is willing to work together with the international community, including Pakistan, to resolutely safeguard the Charter of the United Nations, uphold the bottom line of international morality, adhere to the sovereign equality of all countries, jointly safeguard world peace and development, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. 王毅说，当前国际局势更加变乱交织，单边霸凌现象愈演愈烈。委内瑞拉形势突变引发国际社会高度关注，中国外交部发言人已表明了中方立场。我们从不认为哪一个国家可以充当国际警察，也不认同哪一个国家可以自诩为国际法官，各国的主权和安全都应受到国际法的充分保护。我们一贯反对在国际关系中使用或威胁使用武力，反对将一国的意志强加于别国。中方愿同包括巴基斯坦在内国际社会一道，坚定捍卫《联合国宪章》，坚守国际道义底线，坚持各国主权平等，共同维护世界和平与发展，共同推动构建人类命运共同体.

The readout added:

Dar conveyed the warm greetings of the Pakistani leadership to the Chinese leadership, congratulated the Communist Party of China on the adoption of the ‘15th FYP’ recommendations at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, and emphasised that China’s modernisation is an important force for maintaining world peace and development. Friendship with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and a consensus among all political parties and sectors of Pakistani society. This year, both sides will jointly witness 75 years of brotherly and ironclad friendship between the two countries. Pakistan is willing to carry forward the historical friendship with China, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, deepen practical cooperation, and promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China. Pakistan will spare no effort to combat all forms of terrorism and take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. 达尔转达巴基斯坦领导人对中国领导人的亲切问候，祝贺中国共产党二十届四中全会审议通过“十五五”规划建议，强调中国走向现代化是维护世界和平与发展的重要力量。对华友好是巴对外政策基石，也是巴各党派和社会各界共识。今年双方将共同见证75年来两国兄弟般铁杆友谊，巴方愿同中方传承历史友好，加强发展战略对接，深化务实合作，推动巴中全天候战略合作伙伴关系不断向前发展。巴方将全力打击一切形式的恐怖主义，采取切实有效措施保障中方在巴机构和人员安全.

Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the one-China principle and its continued firm support for China on all issues concerning China’s core interests. Given the serious challenges to the current international order, Pakistan highly appreciates China’s adherence to multilateralism, supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to jointly address global challenges. 达尔表示，巴方重申恪守一个中国原则，将继续在所有涉及中国核心利益问题上坚定支持中方。当前国际秩序受到严重冲击，巴方高度赞赏中方坚持多边主义，支持习近平主席提出的四大全球倡议，愿同中方加强多边协作，携手应对全球性挑战.

“Both sides agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges and interactions at all levels, and deepen strategic communication and coordination of actions. They committed to implementing the action plan for building a China-Pakistan community of shared future and accelerating the achievement of early results. They also agreed to advance the construction of the ‘2.0 upgraded version’ of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, and strengthen cooperation in industry, agriculture, and mining. They pledged to jointly commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and consolidate the public opinion foundation of China-Pakistan friendship. They affirmed their commitment to uniting the Global South and defending common interests, and upholding the purposes of the UN Charter and opposing bullying acts that infringe upon the sovereignty of other countries. The two sides also conducted comprehensive and in-depth strategic communication on international and regional issues of common concern and reached broad consensus. Before the talks, the two sides jointly unveiled the commemorative emblem for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and visited a photo exhibition commemorating the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations.” 双方一致同意，加强高层交往和各层级往来，深化战略沟通和行动协调。落实好构建中巴命运共同体行动计划，抓紧形成一批早期收获。推进中巴经济走廊“2.0升级版”建设，加强产业、农业、矿业合x作。共同纪念两国建交75周年，夯实中巴友好民意基础。团结全球南方，捍卫共同利益。恪守《联合国宪章》宗旨，反对侵犯别国主权的霸凌行径。双方还就共同关心的国际和地区问题进行全面深入战略沟通，达成广泛共识。会谈前，双方共同为中巴建交75周年纪念徽标揭幕，并参观纪念中巴建交75周年图片展.

Dar also met with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. Ding said that:

“The ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan has stood the test of time. Last year, President Xi Jinping met with President Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif separately, reaching important common understandings on further developing bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Pakistan, following the strategic guidance of the two leaders, to strengthen political mutual trust and mutual support, deepen the alignment of development plans, promote high-quality and efficient practical cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination on major international and regional affairs, accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era, and continuously enhance the well-being of the two peoples.” 丁薛祥表示，中巴铁杆友谊历久弥坚。习近平主席去年同扎尔达里总统、夏巴兹总理分别会面，围绕进一步发展两国关系达成新的重要共识。中方愿同巴方按照两国领导人战略指引，坚定政治互信和相互支持，深化发展规划对接，推动务实合作提质增效，加强重大国际地区事务沟通协调，加快构建新时代更加紧密的中巴命运共同体，持续增进两国人民福祉.

Dar also met with Liu Haixing during his visit.

II. BRICS Technology Center

There’s a report informing that the new China-BRICS New Quality Productive Forces Research Center has opened in Beijing. Xinhua reports:

“The center will be an international platform for research exchange and cooperation within the BRICS cooperation framework. It will focus on joint theoretical and applied studies on new quality productive forces, cooperation on sci-tech innovation, the exchange of personnel and professional training programs to foster interdisciplinary talent with a global outlook, and the development of a collaborative research network that provides intellectual and decision-making support for policy formulation and shared prosperity among BRICS member states and partner countries. For BRICS countries, the joint development of new quality productive forces is a key arena to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, a powerful engine for inclusive and shared development, and an effective step toward building a community with a shared future for humanity, said Chen Jiachang, China’s vice minister of science and technology.”

III. Four Expulsions

On Page 6, there are reports of disciplinary action being taken against several individuals.

Let’s begin with the probe into Feng Zhibin, former vice president of Sinochem Group and a former member of the company’s leading Party members group. Feng has been expelled from the CPC. The probe found that he violated the Party’s political discipline, organizational discipline, integrity discipline, and life discipline. His actions “constituted serious duty-related violations of law”. He “is suspected of crimes of accepting bribes, using influence to accept bribes, and abuse of authority by state-owned company personnel…” Some of the details of the charges are interesting:

• Feng “lost his ideals and convictions, betrayed his original aspiration and mission, and privately brought into the country and read books and publications with serious political problems;

• violated the spirit of the central 8-point regulation by accepting banquets and golf activities that could affect the impartial performance of his duties;

• violated organizational principles, seeking benefits for others and accepting bribes in employee recruitment and other work;

• breached the bottom line of integrity by illegally accepting gifts and illegally holding shares in non-listed companies;

• treated public power as a tool for seeking private gain, using the convenience of his position to seek benefits for others in areas such as enterprise operations and equity acquisitions, and illegally accepting huge amounts of money and property, and even after leaving office continued to use the influence of his former position to accept money and amass wealth;

• engaged in favoritism and fraud, abused power, causing especially major losses to national interests.

经查，冯志斌丧失理想信念，背弃初心使命，私自携带有严重政治问题的书刊入境并阅看；违反中央八项规定精神，接受可能影响公正执行公务的宴请和打高尔夫球等活动安排；违背组织原则，在职工录用等工作中为他人谋取利益并收受财物；廉洁底线失守，违规收受礼品，违规拥有非上市公司股份；将公权力作为谋取私利的工具，利用职务便利为他人在企业经营、股权收购等方面谋利，并非法收受巨额财物，且离职后仍利用原职务上的影响收钱敛财；徇私舞弊，滥用职权，致使国家利益遭受特别重大损失.

Second, Zhou Xianwang, former member of the Party Group and Vice Chairman of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, has been expelled from the CPC and dismissed from public office over serious violations of discipline and laws. As per the report, Zhou “seriously violated the Party’s political discipline, organisational discipline, integrity discipline, work discipline, and life discipline.” The charges against him are:

• Zhou lost his ideals and beliefs, betrayed his original aspirations and mission, and engaged in superstitious activities;

• disregarded the spirit of the central eight-point regulations, accepting banquets and travel arrangements that could affect the impartial performance of his official duties;

• violated organizational requirements by failing to report personal matters as required, and sought benefits for others and accepted bribes in cadre selection and employee recruitment;

• breached the bottom line of integrity, illegally accepted gifts, used his power to benefit his relatives’ business activities, and engaged in power-for-sex transactions;

• failed to properly perform his duties, resulting in the risk of huge losses of state-owned assets;

• led a corrupt and decadent life, had a poor family style, and neglected to properly supervise and educate his son;

• abused public power for personal gain, acted arbitrarily, engaged in extensive power-for-money transactions, and used his official position to seek benefits for others in project contracting and fund allocation, and illegally accepted a large amount of money.

经查，周先旺丧失理想信念，背弃初心使命，搞迷信活动；无视中央八项规定精神，接受可能影响公正执行公务的宴请和旅游活动安排；违反组织要求，不按规定报告个人有关事项，在干部选拔、职工录用等工作中为他人谋取利益并收受财物；廉洁底线失守，违规收受礼金，利用职权为亲属经营活动谋利，搞权色交易；不正确履行职责，造成巨额国有资产损失风险；生活腐化堕落，家风不正，对其子失管失教；公器私用，擅权妄为，大搞权钱交易，利用职务便利为他人在工程承揽、资金拨付等方面谋利，并非法收受巨额财物.

Third, Xu Chuanzhi, a former vice-ministerial-level official in the central inspection group, has been expelled from the CPC. Xu “seriously violated the Party’s political discipline, organizational discipline, integrity discipline, work discipline, and life discipline.” The charges against him are:

• Xu lost his ideals and beliefs, betrayed his original aspirations and mission, was disloyal and dishonest to the Party, and resisted organizational scrutiny;

• violated the spirit of the central 8-point regulations by improperly accepting banquets;

• lacked organizational principles, failed to report personal matters as required, and sought benefits for others and accepted bribes in cadre selection and appointment work;

• breached the bottom line of integrity, used his power to seek personal gain for his relatives, and illegally accepted gifts, cash, and consumption cards;

• interfered in and intervened in discipline inspection and law enforcement, judicial activities, and market economic activities;

• had improper family conduct;

• violated discipline while enforcing discipline, broke the law while enforcing the law, and used the convenience of his position to seek benefits for others in areas such as enterprise operations, case handling, and position adjustments, while illegally accepting huge amounts of money and property.

经查，许传智丧失理想信念，背弃初心使命，对党不忠诚不老实，对抗组织审查；违反中央八项规定精神，违规接受宴请；组织原则缺失，不按规定报告个人有关事项，在干部选拔任用工作中为他人谋取利益并收受财物；廉洁底线失守，利用职权为亲属谋取私利，违规收受礼品礼金消费卡；干预和插手执纪执法、司法活动和市场经济活动；家风不正；执纪违纪，执法犯法，利用职务便利为他人在企业经营、案件处理、职务调整等方面谋利，并非法收受巨额财物。

Finally, Liu Shaoyong, former chairman of China Eastern Airlines Co, has been expelled from the CPC. Liu “seriously violated the Party’s political discipline, organizational discipline, integrity discipline, and life discipline.” The charges against him are:

• Liu lost his ideals and convictions, betrayed his original aspiration and mission, resisted organizational review, and engaged in superstitious activities;

• violated the spirit of the central 8-point regulation by illegally accepting banquets and arrangements for playing golf;

• sought benefits for others and accepted money and property in employee recruitment work;

• breached the bottom line of integrity by illegally accepting cash gifts, using his authority or the influence of his position to seek benefits for relatives in business activities such as private equity funds, and illegally holding shares in non-listed companies;

• completely disregarded laws and regulations, distorted public power into a tool for personal gain, engaged in extensive power-for-money transactions, and used his position to benefit others in project contracting, flight management, and aircraft leasing, and illegally accepted a huge amount of money.

经查，刘绍勇丧失理想信念，背弃初心使命，对抗组织审查，搞迷信活动；违反中央八项规定精神，违规接受宴请和打高尔夫球活动安排；在职工录用工作中为他人谋取利益并收受财物；廉洁底线失守，违规收受礼金，利用职权或职务上的影响为亲属从事私募基金等经营活动谋取利益，违规拥有非上市公司股份；毫无纪法底线，将公权力异化为谋取个人私利的工具，大搞权钱交易，利用职务便利为他人在项目承揽、航班管理、飞机租赁等方面谋利，并非法收受巨额财物.

IV. Commentary on Venezuela

On Page 15, there’s a commentary by Wang Youming from the China Institute of International Studies. Wang argues that:

“At the very beginning of the New Year, the US brazenly carried out a large-scale military operation on Venezuelan soil and forcibly took control of the president of a sovereign country, causing an uproar and shock in international public opinion. The main intentions of this US action include: first, to realise regime change in Venezuela; second, to take control of Venezuela’s abundant resources, such as oil, natural gas, and minerals; and third, to use Venezuela as a target to consolidate and expand the United States’ ‘dominance in the Western Hemisphere’.

Not long ago, the US released a new version of its National Security Strategy, taking ‘America First’ as the guiding principle in everything, and attempting to strengthen and consolidate the United States’ absolute dominance in Latin America. Against this backdrop, the left-wing Maduro regime and the new US ‘Monroe Doctrine’ have come into direct conflict. During his first presidential term, Trump had already attempted to overthrow the Maduro government. After returning to office, Trump authorised the CIA to carry out ‘covert actions’ in Venezuela, and on the pretext of combating ‘narco-terrorism’ conducted large-scale military deployments and operations in the Caribbean region. The Trump administration also successively sanctioned members of Maduro’s family and his followers, banned oil tankers from entering and leaving Venezuela, and carried out maritime interceptions. As Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said, the so-called US ‘drug interdiction’ actions are a political pretext, and their real purpose is to plunder Venezuela’s oil resources.

The actions of the US clearly violate international law and the basic norms of international relations, violate the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and seriously undermine peace, stability, and development in the Latin American region. The US invasion makes it increasingly clear to everyone that what the US calls a ‘rules-based international order’ is actually just a ‘plunder/predatory order based on US interests’.”

新年伊始，美国悍然对委内瑞拉本土实施大规模军事行动并强行控制一个主权国家的总统，令国际舆论哗然与震惊。美国此次行动意图主要包括：一是实现委内瑞拉政权更迭，二是掌控委丰厚的石油、天然气和矿产等资源，三是以委为靶子巩固和扩大美国“在西半球的主导权”。不久前，美国发布新版国家安全战略报告，一切以“美国优先”为原则，试图强化巩固美在拉美的绝对主导权。在此背景下，左翼执政的马杜罗政权与美国新版“门罗主义”产生了最大利益碰撞。特朗普在第一个总统任期内就曾试图推翻马杜罗政府。再次上台后，特朗普授权中央情报局在委“秘密行动”，并以打击“毒品恐怖主义”为由在加勒比海域进行大规模军事部署和行动。特朗普政府还连续制裁马杜罗家人及追随者，禁止油轮出入委内瑞拉并进行海上拦截。正如委内瑞拉全国代表大会（议会）主席罗德里格斯所言，美国所谓“缉毒”行动是政治借口，其真正目的是掠夺委内瑞拉石油资源。美方行径明显违反国际法和国际关系基本准则，违反《联合国宪章》宗旨和原则，严重破坏拉美地区的和平、稳定和发展。美国的入侵行为，让所有人越来越看清一个事实：美国口中所谓“基于规则的国际秩序”，实际只是“基于美国利益的掠夺秩序”。