'China relations still strong'

The relationship between China and Venezuela will not be affected by the recent anti-government demonstrations in Venezuela's capital Caracas, said the Venezuelan embassy in Beijing on Tuesday.

"We have communicated with China's Foreign Ministry yesterday and will also hold talks with other Chinese authorities tomorrow to clarify what is actually happening in our country," Rocia Maneiro Gonzalez, the Venezuelan ambassador to China, said at a news conference.

He said the three US diplomats expelled from Venezuela on Monday "offered scholarships to Venezuelan students" - a move to incite them to take part in the protest.

Caracas will soon reveal the "truth" about the demonstrations to the international community, he said.

He blamed some media for using photos of previous protests in Venezuela to "exaggerate" the current situation in Caracas and "misleading" people.

China Daily - Xinhua

(China Daily 02/19/2014 page12)