Report on talks with Venezuela opposition dismissed

China on Wednesday dismissed a news report which said Beijing has held talks with Venezuela's political opposition to protect its investments in the oil-rich South American nation.

When asked to confirm whether such talks took place, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular news conference in Beijing: "I think you refer to The Wall Street Journal report. But it is in fact fake news."

Noting that she didn't know the intention of the report, Hua said China hopes media outlets can follow the principles of objectivity and fairness in their reporting.