On August 25, 2006, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

Wen said the two countries have viewed and developed bilateral relations from a strategic perspective in recent years. The friendly exchanges and cooperation have produced good results in all fields. China is ready to continue efforts with Venezuela to push forward China-Venezuela strategic partnership of common development.

He said Venezuela is an important economic partner for China in Latin America. Trade volume has quadrupled compared with four years ago. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation enjoys a sound basis and broad prospect for development. The two sides should continue to tap potential, give play to the complementary advantages in the fields of energy, technology, fund and market, expand cooperation scale, improve cooperative mechanisms and encourage two-way investment, he said. Wen added that efforts should be made to accelerate the implementation of cooperation projects in such key areas as energy, agriculture, infrastructure and high-tech to enhance the level of cooperation.

Chavez said he and Chinese President Hu Jintao had made significant steps forward in yesterday's talks and the consensus that they reached will ensure a better development of bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields.  He said he agreed with Wen's suggestions on expanding economic cooperation, which has great potential. Venezuela is willing to take concrete measures with China to push forward the cooperation in all areas on the existing sound basis, Chavez said.