On the morning of April 16, President Jiang Zemin held talks with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at the Presidential Palace. The two sides had an extensive and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and major international issues of common interest in a sincere and friendly atmosphere. The talks are constructive and have produced positive results.

Chavez extended a warm welcome to President Jiang for his second visit. He said that Jiang's state visit to Venezuela is an important one of historic importance. His talks and meeting with Jiang is also of historic importance. Chavez, on behalf of the Venezuelan people and government, extend profound thanks to the Chinese government and people for their important support to Venezuela. He said the support would also be embodied in the important cooperative agreements the two countries would sign on the next day, which would further promote the economic and social development of Venezuela. Chavez said that the prospects for the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries are rosy and encouraging.

Jiang said that he was glad to have the opportunity to pay a state visit to Venezuela. He said that Venezuela is the last-leg of his six-nation Latin American tour and as the Chinese may put it: "the last item is the major on the program" and it has scored a great success.

Jiang said that he and his delegation were greatly impressed by the warm reception accorded them by the Venezuelan people and government soon as they touched the land of Venezuela. He said that he and Chavez met each other and had very good talks when the latter paid a visit to China in 1999. This time is a meeting of old friends, and he was very glad.

Jiang said that despite the geographical distance between the two countries, China and Venezuela experienced the same historical lot and hard struggles. The friendship between the two countries and peoples clinched through history unite us together.

Jiang said that Venezuela boasts rich energy resources and vast land whereas China has a population of nearly 1. 3 billion and has scored rapid economic growth. The two countries are complementary in terms of the economy, trade and technologies. Prospects for bilateral cooperation are broad in such fields as agriculture and energy.

Jiang invited Chavez to visit China again this May. Chavez accepted the invitation with pleasure and said that he would continue to exchange views with Jiang on how to promote the further development of bilateral relations in all areas and on issues of mutual concern.

Chavez briefed Jiang on the domestic situation in Venezuela. He said that the Venezuelan people are full of confidence in the future even the country suffered from certain temporary difficulties. Economically, he noted, Venezuela shook off the depression and scored recovery in recent years and, internationally, the country sought to play an ever-active role while strengthening the independence of its foreign policy and firmly safeguarding state sovereignty. Venezuela is keen to further its cooperation with China in a bid to ensure a more balanced socio-economic development for the benefits of the people.

The Chinese side also briefed Chavez on China's current domestic situation, reform and opening up, the development of a socialist markets economy mechanism, and future development strategies. Jiang said that we admire and congratulate the hard-working and intelligent Venezuelan people on their efforts of brave reform to maintain national sovereignty, rejuvenate national economy and promote social progress despite difficulties under President Chavez's leadership. He expressed his belief that Venezuela could achieve remarkable accomplishments in the national construction through reform and development.

During the talks, the two sides also explored areas and projects of bilateral economic cooperation and trade.