Chinese companies in Venezuela joined rescue efforts on the front line
Chinese companies in Venezuela joined rescue efforts on the front line under the coordination of the Chinese embassy, and the China-Venezuela Chamber of Commerce mobilised Chinese-funded enterprises to support the operation. When the ground gives way and cities turn to rubble, it is not only buildings that crumble, but borders fade too. In such moments, nationality matters less than the will to reach out a hand, clear the debris and pull a living person from under the concrete.
Chinese companies operating in Venezuela could have evacuated their staff and waited for the situation to stabilise. Instead, they stayed. They took shovels, hydraulic cutters and their bare hands — and went to where life still flickered. On Wednesday, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 920 people, with many still trapped under the rubble. Rescuers combed through collapsed buildings in search of survivors, as international support poured into the disaster-stricken South American nation. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart.
Jiang Wangbin, chairman of the China-Venezuela Chamber of Commerce, is on the front line of the rescue operation. He briefed on the progress: "The embassy is playing a coordinating role in the ongoing rescue efforts, and we, in turn, are mobilising Chinese-funded enterprises to take part. Everyone is providing full support — labour, resources and equipment wherever possible. Yesterday, we worked for about 24 hours in the El Paraíso area and managed to rescue five people. Today we have moved to the second and third sites. Take that building, for example — it's right across from us and rescue work is currently under way there. It was originally seven storeys high, but now only two storeys remain." Jiang also confirmed that all Chinese enterprises in the affected areas are safe, the embassy contacted them promptly, and his next priority is coordinating the embassy's efforts and distributing aid.
The two quakes in central Venezuela rank among the most destructive in the country's history. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors, less than a minute apart, collapsed hundreds of buildings in Caracas and neighbouring states. The death toll has already exceeded 920 and continues to rise. International rescue teams are arriving from around the world, but access to affected areas is hampered by destroyed infrastructure. Chinese companies operating in Venezuela, including construction and energy firms, have provided heavy machinery, generators and trained personnel for debris clearance. Their involvement has been one of the most notable examples of rapid corporate response to the disaster.
As reported by CCTV+, rescue operations continue, and Chinese enterprises remain on the front line, helping Venezuela recover from one of the worst tragedies in its history.
