China warns against actions that may lead to violence in Venezuela

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China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it opposes military intervention in Venezuela and any actions that may lead to tension or unrest in the country, warning "severe consequences" if violence broke out during the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Geng Shuang, ministry spokesperson, made the remark at a daily media briefing.

"For some time, Venezuela government has stayed calm and exercised restraint, and effectively prevented large-scale bloody conflicts," Geng said.

"If forcibly deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela, once violence erupted, there'll be severe consequences that neither side wants to see."

Humanitarian goods including food and medicine organized by countries including the U.S. and Brazil are to enter Venezuelan border on February 23 despite the protest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro denies there is a humanitarian crisis and said on Thursday he was considering closing Venezuela's key border with Colombia and would close the country's other main border with Brazil, effectively shutting off any legal land access.

(With input from Reuters)