Shotlist Beijing, China - Dec 25, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Press briefing in progress 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) He Yongqian, spokeswoman, Ministry of Commerce: "China has always opposed the arbitrary levy of unilateral sanctions and the so-called long-arm jurisdiction by certain countries. The arbitrary interception of other countries' oil tankers may not only disrupt the normal operation of the international energy market but also potentially cause other security risks. Venezuela's engagement in economic and trade cooperation with other countries within the framework of international law is normal, reasonable, and lawful, and this right should be respected and deserves support." FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 3. Various of White House FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 (CCTV Video News Agency - No access Chinese mainland) 4. Capitol Hill FILE: Caracas, Venezuela - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 5. Various of national flags of Venezuela, traffic Storyline A spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday slammed the United States for imposing an oil blockade on Venezuela, saying arbitrary tanker interception may disrupt the normal operation of the international energy market and cause other security risks. He Yongqian, the spokeswoman, made the remarks at a press briefing in Beijing in response to a media inquiry on the stepped-up interception of Venezuelan oil tankers by the U.S. "China has always opposed the arbitrary levy of unilateral sanctions and the so-called long-arm jurisdiction by certain countries. The arbitrary interception of other countries' oil tankers may not only disrupt the normal operation of the international energy market but also potentially cause other security risks. Venezuela's engagement in economic and trade cooperation with other countries within the framework of international law is normal, reasonable, and lawful, and this right should be respected and deserves support," said He. The United States has stepped up its oil blockade of Venezuela by intercepting a third tanker in international waters near the country in less than two weeks, said media reports on Sunday. The tanker Bella 1, which flies the Panamanian flag and is under U.S. sanctions, was boarded by U.S. personnel while en route to Venezuela to load cargo, Bloomberg News reported Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter.