Chinese companies vow to deepen cooperation with Venezuelan

A delegation of 11 Chinese companies on Thursday wrapped up a five-day agenda to explore new areas of cooperation with the Venezuelan government.

The delegation was headed by Liang Wengen, founding president of the Sany Group Co., who reaffirmed the commitment of the Chinese businessmen to contributing to Venezuela's development of a new economic model. Sany Group Co. is a leading Chinese heavy machinery manufacturing company headquartered in Changsha, in the central Chinese Province of Hunan.

"We not only want to be economic partners of Venezuela, but also hope to help build this country and pass on our experience and technology," said Liang in a meeting Thursday with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduroa at the Miraflores presidential palace.

Liang said that during their five-day visit they held talks with senior government officials to expand the economic cooperation and explore new areas for future development.

"We have absolute trust in the future of Venezuela and in their idea to develop their own productive and industrial economy. The delegation that I have headed has committed to sticking to the path and will expressed by both Chinese and Venezuelan presidents in their last meeting in January," he added.

Meanwhile, Maduro said Beijing and Caracas have found a "perfect cooperation agenda" marked by respect and mutual benefit which was started by ex-President Hugo Chavez and Chinese leaders.

"We have built a miracle in our cooperation particularly by China's financing for the development of our country," said Maduro.

The Venezuelan leader said Venezuela has a strategic geographic position as well as the political will to continue expanding its ties with China.

"The most important thing is that we're an independent and sovereign nation and we don't have to consult with anyone in the world to advance in the path we believe in. We must build with the help of China our economic independence," he added.

According to the Chinese delegation, the agreements reached during the visit are dedicated to strengthening technological transfer for the "economic prosperity" of Venezuela.

Liang announced that Sany Group Co. will build a plant of heavy machinery and construction materials that will satisfy the local market and serve as a regional hub for exports to the rest of South American continent.

The Chinese companies present at the meeting will invest such areas in Venezuela as oil, energy, heavy machinery, agriculture and medicines.