China supports UN Security Council's emergency meeting on Venezuela: FM spokesman

China supports the convening of an emergency meeting by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on the U.S. military operation against Venezuela, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

Lin made the remarks in response to a media query about the current situation in Venezuela and China's stance.

"China expresses grave concern over the U.S. forced seizure and transfer out of the country of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife. The U.S. move is a clear violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and also a violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China calls on the United States to ensure the personal safety of Maduro and his wife, immediately release them, stop subverting the Venezuelan government, and resolve the issues through dialogue and negotiation," said Lin.

"China supports the convening of an emergency meeting by the UN Security Council on the U.S. military strike against Venezuela and supports the UN Security Council in fulfilling its due role in accordance with its own responsibilities. China stands ready to work with the international community to resolutely defend the UN Charter, uphold the bottom line of international morality, and safeguard international fairness and justice," he added.

China supports UN Security Council's emergency meeting on Venezuela: FM spokesman

Impact of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is pushing Gulf countries to revisit costly plans for pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, so that they can continue to export oil and gas, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Thursday.

"Officials and industry executives say new pipelines may be the only way to reduce Gulf countries' enduring vulnerability to disruption in the strait, even though such projects would be expensive, politically complex and take years to complete," said the report.

"Previous plans for pipelines across the region have repeatedly stalled, undone by high costs and complexity," it said.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy corridor bordered by Iran to the north.

Around a fifth of global liquefied natural gas supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which also carries about one quarter of global seaborne oil trade.

Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz by restricting passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.

Gulf countries consider new pipelines to avoid Strait of Hormuz: Financial Times