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China's Oil Investments in Venezuela: A Reuters Report

Published January 5, 2026, 15:20
China's Oil Investments in Venezuela: A Reuters Report

China plays a significant role in Venezuela's oil sector, acting as a major buyer of crude oil and an investor in various oil production projects. Chinese imports of Venezuelan oil reached approximately 470,000 barrels per day in 2023, representing 4.5% of China's total crude oil imports. The primary purchasers are small independent refineries, while a portion of the oil is used to repay Venezuela's debt to China, estimated to exceed $10 billion. Chinese companies such as CNPC and Sinopec have invested heavily in Venezuela's oil sector and hold stakes in joint ventures with the state-owned oil company PDVSA.