Countries in Latin America "have the right to choose their own cooperation partners", while Beijing will continue to deepen cooperation with the countries, a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry has said.

Mao Ning made the remarks on Monday after reports quoted United States President Donald Trump as saying China and Russia "would have" taken control of Venezuela's oil if the US didn't do so, and that China and Russia can buy "all the oil they need from us".

In response, Mao said Venezuela and other Latin American countries are sovereign and independent states with whom China will continue to deepen pragmatic cooperation, regardless of how the situation may evolve.