On the afternoon of August 24, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks in the Great Hall of the People with Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, who was here in China for a state visit. The two sides agreed to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and push China-Venezuela strategic partnership of common development to another new level.

Hu said recent years have witnessed all-round and in-depth development of bilateral ties. The two sides have maintained frequent exchange of high-level visits and further strengthened mutual political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas has made tangible progress. Both sides have also conducted sound cooperation in international and regional affairs. The Venezuelan government has adhered to the one-China policy for a long period of time and has shown firm support on China's major concerns such as Taiwan, which China appreciates and is grateful for.

Chavez said in recent years, the mutual political trust between the two countries has been strengthened and the exchanges in economy, trade and culture have been deepened continuously. There has been a deepening of friendship between the two peoples and bilateral ties have entered a new stage for development. The Venezuelan government will continue to unswervingly adhere to the one-China policy and believes that the development of bilateral friendly relations and cooperation will have broad prospect.

Hu noted this year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of China-Venezuela strategic partnership of common development and it is hoped that the two sides will take this as an opportunity and make joint efforts in the following four aspects. First, strengthen high-level exchanges and expand strategic consensus. China is ready to work with Venezuela to expand exchanges and cooperation between their governments, legislatures and parties and strengthen dialogue, consultation and coordination on major issues of each other's concern. Second, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and accelerate common development. China is ready to join hands with Venezuela to continue strengthening the coordinating function and mechanism building of the bilateral high-level mixed committee, implement the cooperation projects already agreed upon and actively discuss cooperation in the areas of railway building, ship building, oil machinery production and high-tech. China encourages its businesses to invest in Venezuela and also welcomes Venezuelan entrepreneurs to expand market in China. China is ready to work with Venezuela to tap potential, expand cooperation areas and enhance cooperation level to ensure bilateral cooperation to yield sound economic and social benefits. Third, expand humanities exchanges and deepen mutual understanding. Both sides should expand exchange and cooperation in culture, education, science, technology, journalism and tourism and encourage personnel and information exchange between their cultural agencies, colleges and institutions, scientific research institutions, press circles, non-governmental organizations and regions. Fourth, strengthen international cooperation, especially coordination in the UN, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization of American States (OAS) and other international and regional organizations, to jointly promote world peace and development.

Chavez fully agreed with Hu's suggestions, adding that they define the direction for bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields in the next period to come. His country is ready to work with China to actively implement these suggestions and strengthen cooperation in bilateral and multilateral areas in a bid to push for Venezuela-China strategic partnership of common development. Venezuela hopes to further develop cooperation with China in the areas of energy, railway building, telecommunications, agriculture, tourism, culture and education and build the bilateral high-level mixed committee into an important platform for advancing bilateral cooperation.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of the summary of the fifth meeting of bilateral high-level mixed committee and other cooperation documents.

Prior to the talks, President Hu hosted a welcome ceremony for President Chavez's visit to China in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) He Luli, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Zhang Siqing, Vice Chairman of China Association for Promoting Democracy Central Committee Wang Liping, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai and other officials attended the ceremony.