The Chinese government has strongly condemned the United States for seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, calling the operation a “serious violation of international law.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a briefing on Thursday, January 8, that Beijing “strongly opposes the arbitrary detention of foreign vessels on the high seas.” She accused the United States of infringing on the sovereignty of other nations and acting outside established maritime norms.
The tanker, Marinera (formerly the M/V Bella 1), was boarded by U.S. Coast Guard and military units on Wednesday, January 7, following a weeks-long pursuit that began in the Caribbean.
U.S. officials said the vessel was part of a “dark fleet” used to bypass sanctions on Venezuelan crude oil. Vice President JD Vance described the ship as a “fake Russian oil tanker” that attempted to change its flag during the pursuit.
The seizure comes amid a broader U.S. enforcement of sanctions and maritime blockades on Venezuelan oil shipments. China criticized these measures as “unilateral” and “illicit,” emphasizing its support for a global order grounded in international law rather than “unilateral bullying.”
The incident also drew criticism from Russia, which called the operation a “gross violation” of freedom of navigation. Reports indicated that the Russian Navy had deployed at least one submarine to escort the tanker prior to the U.S. interception.
This is the first recent case of the U.S. seizing a Russian-flagged vessel, heightening tensions between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.
China’s statement signals strong backing for both Russian and Venezuelan positions and underscores its broader concerns about U.S. maritime enforcement and its effects on global energy trade.
