BEIJING: China on Tuesday said that the United States should bear responsibility for the consequences of its sanctions on Venezuela after Washington imposed sweeping restrictions on Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA.

The latest United State  sanctions announced on Monday appear to be meant at pressuring President Nicolas Maduro to step down and to build on the momentum that has mounted in recent weeks against him at home and abroad.

The Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim president last week with US backing, and who is supported by most Western countries, says Maduro stole his re-election and must resign to allow new, fair election. China has said it opposes unilateral sanctions.

Geng Shuang, Foreign Ministry spokesman,  said historical experience showed foreign interference "only makes situations more complicated". He further added that relevant country`s sanctions on Venezuela will lead to the deterioration of conditions of people`s lives. Shaung said "They should bear responsibility for the serious consequences from this.”

over the past decade, China has lent more than $50 billion to Venezuela through oil-for-loan agreements securing energy supplies for its fast-growing economy, but the financing dried up as the South American country`s economy began spiralling downward in 2015, pressured by plummeting prices of oil.