Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Beijing Tuesday.

　 Though far apart in distance, Li said, China and Venezuela enjoy good relations. "Both of us are developing countries with the common task of developing our economies and improving the lives of our peoples," he noted.

　 He said, the two countries are making concerted efforts to safeguard world peace and stability, and push forward the establishment of a new international political and economic order, and the growth of bilateral ties has broad prospects.

　 Li also extended gratitude for the consistent support given by the Venezuelan government to China on such issues as human rights and China's admission into the World Trade Organization.

　 After briefing the guests on China's development during the past five decades, Li stressed that history tells us that the revitalization of a nation should depend on the rejuvenation of the national spirit so that the potential of the people can be given full play.

　 According to Li, given that a nation wishes to make steady progress, it should promptly review and examine itself, and summarize experience. "One should see the achievements scored, frankly face the errors, in particular the lessons gained from painful mistakes, review the mistakes, improve the work, and reform all irrational systems impeding development," he pointed out.

　 "To catch up with the stream of time, a nation should boldly merge into the international community and succeed at undertaking exchanges and cooperation with other countries and learning from each other," he said.

　 He told Chavez, "as true friends, we should not only share our achievements, but also the winding paths we've taken," adding that the latter, in his view, "are more important than the achievements."

　 Chavez said he has deep friendly feelings toward the Chinese people and has been watching China's development. He said the current visit has met his long-term expectations, and China's achievements have made a deep impression.

　 "During the past 25 years, bilateral ties have laid a solid foundation thanks to the concerted efforts of both countries," he said, adding that the bilateral relationship will see greater progress in the coming century.

　 To maintain such friendship, he said, Venezuela is willing to enhance cooperation with China in international affairs, continue its adherence to the "one China" principle, support China's just

　stand on human rights, and China's just struggle in safeguarding national sovereignty.