China, Venezuela agree stronger strategic partnership

China and Venezuela on Sunday pledged to seek a stronger strategic partnership. The pledge came out of the talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Great Hall of the People on Sunday. Xi gave a red-carpet welcome ceremony to Maduro, who is paying his first state visit to China from Saturday to Tuesday. During their hour-long talks, Xi said Venezuela is an important country in Latin America and reviewed the sound development of China-Venezuela relations. Xi recalled late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, saying he was a great friend of the Chinese people and hailing his contribution to bilateral relations. China appreciates Maduro and the new Venezuelan government for continuing Chavez\'s friendly policy with China and giving priority to developing bilateral relations, Xi said. Stressing China-Venezuela relations are now connecting the past and the future, Xi called on the two countries to deepen friendly relations and bring their strategic partnership to a new high. Xi said China and Venezuela should keep high-level visits, deepen the interactions between governments, legislative bodies and parties and share experiences on party building and economic development. The two countries should bring into play their high-level steering committee and financing cooperation mechanism, advance pragmatic cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and finance and create favorable conditions for mutual investment. As China and Venezuela will mark the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2014, the two countries will stage a series of cultural events to deepen mutual understanding and friendly feelings, Xi said. Xi also called on the two countries to deepen multilateral collaboration, boost the establishment of China-Latin America Cooperation Forum and improve the overall cooperation between China and Latin America. Maduro said Venezuela and China are sincere and friendly towards each other, seeking mutually beneficial cooperation. Venezuela appreciates China\'s support, particularly China\'s profound friendship with Chavez, saying the good relationship with China is one of the greatest achievements of Chavez, Maduro said. Venezuelan President said the Venezuelan people are following the trail blazed by Chavez, stressing that Venezuela will consolidate and expand cooperation with China and promote economic and social development. Maduro called on the two countries to map out bilateral cooperation for the next decade, particularly the party-to-party exchanges and cooperation on industry, agriculture, oil and gas, transportation, science and technology, investment and finance. Maduro encouraged Chinese businesses to play a role in Venezuelan special economic zones. Maduro said Venezuela would like to maintain communications and coordination with China on major international and regional issues and support the establishment of China-Latin America Cooperation Forum and play a positive role in boosting cooperation between China and Latin America. After the talks, Xi and Maduro witnessed the signing of a series of agreements on financing, culture, education and training.