As the election results in Venezuela causes more controversial debates, more nations came out to criticize how Maduro's government has been manipulating the political system. There is no doubt that how China is taking advantage of the opportunities to further strengthen its economic and political ties with Venezuela, despite all the harsh responds from other nations. How should we understand the current economic tie between the two nations? What is Venezuela trying to accomplish in China?

Paul Webster Hare was a British diplomat for 30 years and the British ambassador to Cuba from 2001-04. He is currently a Master Lecturer in international relations at the Frederick S Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University.