Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference  on Sep 7 that China-Venezuela cooperation is protected by international law and the laws of both countries, is unrelated to third parties and should not be interfered with by them, adding that China's legitimate rights and interests in Venezuela must be safeguarded.Mao was responding to a foreign media query on whether Venezuela had assured Beijing that Chinese oil interests would not be affected by a new agreement between Venezuela and the United States, and on Venezuela's statement that agreements between the two countries would be honored and Chinese joint ventures would continue operating.