BEIJING - China firmly opposes the United States' manipulation of the so-called "general license" to restrict China-Venezuela cooperation, and China's lawful rights and interests in Venezuela must be safeguarded, a Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

Mao made the remarks at a regular news briefing when responding to a related query. "What the US should do is immediately lift its illegal unilateral sanctions on Venezuela, rather than manipulate the so-called 'general license' to whitewash its actions that undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all parties concerned, including Venezuela," Mao said.