On July 20 local time, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela in Caracas. The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the China-Venezuela relations and other topics of common concern in a candid and friendly atmosphere, and reached broad consensuses, agreeing to promote the China-Venezuela relations to the comprehensive strategic partnership and strengthen the bilateral cooperation in wider fields.
Maduro warmly welcomed Xi Jinping's state visit to Venezuela, and said that he expected this visit to deepen and expand the bilateral cooperation and improve the Venezuela-China relations.
Xi Jinping pointed out China and Venezuela are good friends with mutual trust and good partners enjoying mutual benefit and win-win results. We cherish the important contributions made by the former President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela to the development of the China-Venezuela relations, and appreciate President Maduro for carrying on Chávez's friendly policy towards China. On the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, the China-Venezuela relations are at a critical stage of inheriting the past and ushering in the future. We unanimously agree to promote the bilateral relations to the comprehensive strategic partnership with connotations of strategic mutual trust, comprehensive cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win results, and common development. Xi Jinping put forward four proposals.
First, grasp the overall situation. The two heads of state should keep frequent contact; the governments, political parties and legislatures of the two countries should enhance exchanges, strengthen strategic planning, deepen political mutual trust, and continue the mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests.
Second, focus on practical effectiveness. The top-level design of the bilateral cooperation should be reinforced, not only taking courage to make progress and development, but also being practical, efficient, and making step-by-step progress. We should adhere to mutual benefit and reciprocity and deepen convergence of interests, driving forward "multiple wheels" simultaneously with finance and investment as the engine and energy cooperation as the spindle. Both sides should make good use of the financing cooperation mechanism to promote mineral products and infrastructure construction, and scientific and technological cooperation, and initiate the construction of agricultural demonstration parks as early as possible. China is willing to increase the satellite technology transfer to Venezuela and encourage competent Chinese enterprises to actively participate in the construction of the special economic zone of Venezuela.
Third, expand exchanges. Taking the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, both sides should promote cooperation in culture, education, tourism and media, and lay solid foundations for the public opinion towards the China-Venezuela friendship.
Fourth, focus on the overall picture. The China-Venezuela relations should be planned in the overall situation of the China-Latin America relations, unity and cooperation of developing countries and the world peace and development. I appreciate President Maduro's attending the dialogue between the leaders of the BRICS countries and South American countries and China-Latin America and the Caribbean Summit and putting forward significant proposals. China is willing to work with Venezuela to build well the Forum of China and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and promote China-Latin America overall cooperation. The two sides should also strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs such as global economic governance, energy security and climate changes, and spread voices of developing countries to the international community more, so as to push forward the development of the international order towards a more just and rational direction.
Maduro said that Venezuela and China enjoy solid political mutual trust and the two countries share the same ideas on many major issues. They appreciate China's time-honored history and culture, admire the great achievements in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and believe that China will definitely play a bigger role in promoting the peace and development of the world. They will firmly carry on the behest of Hugo Chávez to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with China at a strategic height. He fully appreciates President Xi Jinping's proposals and hopes to keep close contact with President Xi Jinping and push forward the bilateral cooperation. Venezuela welcomes Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Venezuela and participate in such projects as petrochemical industry and development of special economic zones. The important proposals and measures on strengthening overall cooperation between Latin America and China raised by President Xi Jinping in the Latin America and the Caribbean-China Summit a few days ago are of milestone significance and will strongly promote Latin America-China common development. Venezuela unswervingly supports the establishment of the CELAC-China Forum and is ready to make positive contributions to promoting Latin America-China relations.
Maduro introduced Venezuela's domestic situation and said that Venezuela is dedicated to safeguarding national stability, promoting economic development and enhancing the ruling party's capacity building, and appreciates China's consistent support to Venezuela. Xi Jinping stressed that China respects Venezuela's choice of development path conforming to its national conditions, supports the positive efforts made by the Venezuelan government to safeguard domestic stability, and believes that the Venezuelan government and people are capable of well handling their domestic affairs and safeguarding domestic harmony and stability as well as economic and social development. China is ready to learn from each other with Venezuela on the experience of governance and administration of state affairs and party building, and continue to carry out exchanges and cooperation in cadre training and other aspects.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional hotspot issues of common concern. When talking about the current Palestine-Israel situation, Xi Jinping pointed out that the development of the Palestine-Israel situation is worrying. The conflict in Gaza has caused heavy civilian casualties, and we are grieved and seriously concerned over that. China has expressed to Palestine and Israel its position of demanding an immediate ceasefire. We support the mediation efforts made by the United Nations, the countries in the region and the Arab League. China has always supported the Palestinian people's just cause. Peace talks are the only correct way to achieve peace between Palestine and Israel. The relevant parties should overcome difficulties, meet each other half way, and work for the early resumption of the talks. China will continue to make efforts to ease the tensions between Palestine and Israel and maintain regional peace and stability.
After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly met with journalists. Xi Jinping said that President Maduro and I jointly reviewed the 40-year development history of the China-Venezuela relations, and sketched a grand blueprint for the development of the bilateral relations. To establish a comprehensive strategic partnership is a common choice for both sides and conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples. The two sides will, taking this as an opportunity, make further progress to make the mutually-beneficial and friendly bilateral cooperation continuously release new vitality and vigor.
Maduro said that he had a comprehensive, in-depth and friendly conversation and reached important consensus with President Xi Jinping on developing Venezuela-China cooperation and promoting Latin America-China cooperation. Venezuela will go along the path opened by the former President Hugo Chávez and continuously develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with China.
Wan Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the above events.