BEIJING, Feb. 28 -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met with Rafael Ramirez, Venezuela's vice president for economic affairs on Friday and they pledged to cement the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Hailing the development of the bilateral relationship in recent years, Li said he hopes the two sides will consolidate political trust in each other, and boost practical cooperation in energy, mining and finance.

Ramirez, also minister of petroleum and mining, said Venezuela attaches great importance to its strategic partnership with China and is ready to advance reciprocal and friendly cooperation in a sustained way to benefit the people of the two countries.