Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien in Beijing on Monday.
Han spoke highly of Chretien's long-term contributions to advancing China-Canada relations. He said that during their meeting in the Republic of Korea last October, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Mark Carney reached significant consensus on further improving and developing bilateral ties, providing strategic guidance and opening a new chapter in China-Canada relations.
Noting that the two countries share broad common interests and vast potential for cooperation, Han said that China stands ready to enhance communication and coordination with Canada on the basis of equality and mutual respect, to promote the sound, stable, and sustainable development of bilateral relations.
Chretien applauded the positive momentum in Canada-China relations, noting the high complementarity between the two economies and the promising prospects for bilateral ties.
He expressed his commitment to continuing active efforts in fostering the healthy and stable growth of Canada-China relations.
Chinese vice president meets former Canadian PM
Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday reaffirmed the country's sovereignty while denying external forces' control.
Addressing recent claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that the United States has gained control over Venezuela, Rodriguez emphasized that Venezuela remains independent and is governed by its constitutional government.
Rodriguez, previously vice president of Venezuela, was sworn in on Monday as the acting president of the country, after President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken by force on Jan. 3 during a U.S. military operation against the South American nation.
Meanwhile, Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab held a press conference on Tuesday, urging the United States to recognize Maduro's immunity as the president of Venezuela and demanding that the U.S. immediately release the president and his wife.
Saab stated that the current head of state enjoys absolute personal immunity, which is not only a personal right, but also a constitutional principle with universal effect and a fundamental norm of international law.
Even if the U.S. fabricates any false accusations, it has no right to take action against the Venezuelan presidency, said Saab.
The military operation was an attack on national territory launched without prior declaration of war and without a UN Security Council resolution, constituting an illegal armed aggression, possessing terrorist characteristics, and violating the UN Charter, he said.
Saab emphasized that the forced abduction and detention of Venezuela's leader and his wife constitute acts of international kidnapping and illegal deprivation of liberty, which reflect acts of state terrorism. He emphasized that U.S. laws and the U.S. Constitution do not have jurisdiction over Venezuela's territory.
The attorney general also called on U.S. Judge Alvin Hellerstein overseeing the case to respect international law and recognize that the court has no authority to prosecute a head of state enjoying diplomatic immunity. He also demanded that the U.S. cease all human rights violations against Maduro, his wife and the Venezuelan people.
Saab said that three prosecutors have been assigned to form a special investigation team to thoroughly investigate the casualties caused by the U.S. side to dozens of innocent civilians and soldiers.
On the same day, the Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela announced the deployment of troops nationwide while the Bolivarian National Police strengthened security measures amid external unrest.
Venezuela's acting president denies external forces' control
