China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Beijing Tuesday that
China highly values relations with Venezuela and hopes to expand
cooperation with Venezuela on the basis of mutual benefit.
In his meeting with visiting President of Venezuela's Congress
Nicolas Maduro, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's
National People's Congress, said: "China hopes to enhance friendly
exchanges with Venezuela and probe the potential for further
cooperation to achieve mutual benefit."
Wu highlighted the economic cooperation between the two
countries, saying that both China and Venezuela are undergoing fast
economic development and their economies are highly
complementary.
"That creates favorable conditions for the two countries to
intensify pragmatic cooperation in economy and trade," said Wu.
Located in north Latin America, Venezuela is rich in mineral
resources.
Expressing his appreciation of China's achievement in the
development, Maduro said Venezuela hopes the two countries can
learn from each other in promoting common development.
He said to develop relations with China is a consistent policy
of Venezuela and a common aspiration of its people.
The two leaders agreed to enhance parliamentary exchanges so as
to boost bilateral ties.
Wu also expressed China's appreciation of Venezuela's strong
support on the issues including Taiwan.
Maduro is on an eight-day visit to China. He will also visit
Shanghai and east China's Shandong Province.
(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2006)
