China firmly opposes the United States' manipulation of the so-called "general licenses" to restrict China-Venezuela cooperation, and China's lawful rights and interests in Venezuela must be safeguarded, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular news briefing when responding to a query about the US Treasury Department's recent issuance of Venezuela-related general licenses for mineral investment and operations, with the US side stating the move will help bring the Venezuelan economy back online and benefit Americans and Venezuelans. The licenses exclude China, Russia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cuba and Iran.

"What the United States should do is immediately lift its illegal unilateral sanctions on Venezuela, rather than manipulate the so-called 'general licenses' to whitewash its actions that undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all parties concerned, including Venezuela," Mao said.