China has denounced a move by the United States to prosecute Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking at a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the prosecution of Maduro in a US court seriously violated Venezuela's national sovereignty.

She said no country can act as the world's police or claim the role of international judge.

Mao added that China consistently advocates for all countries to respect the right of other peoples to independently choose their own development path, to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, with major countries especially taking the lead.

She also renewed calls for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.