WASHINGTON, January 30. /TASS/. Beijing believes that the legitimate interests of China and other countries in Venezuela must be protected and will continue to develop cooperation with the Bolivarian Republic and other nations in the region, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told TASS.

"Let me stress that the lawful rights and interests of China and other countries in Venezuela must be protected. No matter how the situation develops, China will continue deepening practical cooperation with countries in the region, including Venezuela, and promote common development," he said.

Earlier, US State Secretary Marco Rubio told a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that China had been buying Venezuelan oil at a huge discount. He added that China may buy oil from Venezuela, but they will have to do it "just like everybody else in the world, at a normal price."