Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasised the importance of strengthening and stabilising relations between China and Canada, saying closer ties serve the shared interests of both nations and contribute to global peace, stability and economic growth.

Xi made the remarks on Friday during talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Beijing.

Reflecting on their previous meeting on the sidelines of the APEC Summit held in Gyeongju, South Korea, in October last year, Xi said the engagement marked the beginning of renewed cooperation and a positive shift in bilateral relations.

He urged both countries to approach their relationship with a sense of responsibility to history, their citizens and the international community. Xi called on China and Canada to work together toward establishing a new-type strategic partnership anchored in healthy, stable and long-term development, ensuring tangible benefits for people in both countries.

The Chinese leader further stressed the need for mutual respect, trust, shared development and close cooperation, adding that these principles should guide future engagement between the two sides.

Prime Minister Carney noted that Canada and China have a long-standing record of friendly interaction, supported by complementary economies and wide-ranging common interests. He highlighted the significant potential for deeper cooperation.

Carney said Canada is ready to work with China to build a resilient and sustainable new-type strategic partnership that delivers meaningful gains for citizens of both nations.

South Africa has denounced recent actions by the United States in Venezuela, describing them as unlawful and calling for the unconditional release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa’s position is firmly rooted in respect for international law and the principles of the United Nations, arguing that Washington’s conduct threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a UN member state.

Ramaphosa said Pretoria cannot support actions that undermine global legal norms, stressing that South Africa aligns itself with the Venezuelan people rather than external interference.

By taking this stance, South Africa has joined a number of countries openly questioning US policy toward Caracas, presenting the issue as one of legality and international order rather than power politics.

The President warned that ignoring sovereignty weakens the credibility of the international system and sets a dangerous precedent for global relations.

Pretoria has further urged the United Nations Security Council to act decisively within its mandate to preserve peace, protect international law and prevent escalation.

South Africa’s call reinforces its long-standing view that the Venezuelan situation should be resolved through multilateral engagement and dialogue, not unilateral measures  a position likely to deepen diplomatic divisions between Washington and several nations in the Global South.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty Monday to U.S. charges of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and related crimes, two days after U.S. special forces captured them in a controversial military raid on Caracas that has drawn widespread global criticism.

Maduro, appearing handcuffed in a Manhattan federal courtroom, declared himself a “prisoner of war” and insisted, “I am innocent. I am a decent man, the president of my country.”

His wife also entered a not guilty plea.

The couple faces potential life sentences if convicted on allegations of flooding the U.S. with cocaine through ties to drug cartels.

The operation, confirmed by President Donald Trump as a “large-scale strike,” involved elite U.S. units, including Delta Force, and airstrikes that reportedly killed dozens, including civilians and security personnel.

Trump praised the mission as a “brilliant operation” and stated the U.S. would temporarily “run” Venezuela to oversee its vast oil reserves and facilitate a transition.pbs.org

International reaction was swift and largely negative. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, even U.S. allies condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty and international law.

Venezuela’s UN ambassador accused Washington of an “illegal armed attack,” while protesters rallied in cities worldwide against the raid.

In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim leader, denouncing the “kidnapping” but signalling openness to dialogue.

Maduro’s defence team vowed to challenge the legality of his capture, citing head-of-state immunity.

The indictment, unsealed after the raid, accuses Maduro of leading a corrupt regime tied to massive cocaine trafficking since 1999.

U.S. officials justified the operation by deeming Maduro illegitimate following the disputed 2024 elections.

Legal experts questioned the raid’s compliance with international norms, comparing it to past U.S. actions but noting the unprecedented abduction of a sitting president without extradition.

The incident has heightened tensions in Latin America, with fears of broader implications for regional sovereignty and U.S. foreign policy under Trump.