US playing the role of 'bully' in Venezuela: Chinese FM spokeswoman

China has condemned the United States' demand that Venezuela favor the US in relation to the Latin American country's oil supplies as bullying, stressing that the legitimate rights of China and other countries in Venezuela must be protected.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump's administration had reportedly told Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, that her government must partner exclusively with the US on oil production and favor the US when selling heavy crude.

It has also been reported that Trump has said Venezuela "will be turning over" up to 50 million barrels of oil to the US for it sell on at "market price".

ABC has reported that the US is also demanding that Venezuela reduce its relationships with China, Cuba, Iran and Russia, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter. According to the US news outlet, Venezuela was told it must kick out the four countries and sever economic ties.

At Wednesday's news conference, Mao said that, as a sovereign country, Venezuela has full, permanent sovereignty over all its natural resources and economic activities.

Relations between China and Venezuela constitute cooperation between two sovereign states, and this is protected under relevant international law and regulations, Mao added.

US actions violated international law and infringed upon Venezuela's sovereignty as well as undermining the rights of the Venezuelan people, she said.