Chinese Premier Meets Venezuelan PresidentChina welcomes more Venezuelan businessmen to come to China and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Venezuela, said Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Friday in a meeting with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias.Speaking highly of the growing Sino-Venezuelan relations, Zhu noted that this year is important for bilateral relations with Chinese President Jiang Zemin's successful visit to Venezuela one month ago, during which leaders of the two countries mapped out a "strategic partnership for common development" between China and Venezuela in the new century. Zhu went on to say that President Chavez is visiting China for the second time and he had very friendly and in-depth talks with Jiang, pointing out that the Chinese government will realize earnestly the consensus reached between Jiang and Chavez on bilateral cooperation and do a good job on bilateral cooperative projects. Zhu wished a happy stay in China and a successful visit for Chavez. Zhu said bilateral economic and trade cooperation is fruitful, in the field of energy in particular, adding that the two sides are exploring new means for bilateral reciprocal cooperation, especially in energy, agriculture, science and technology, so as to honor the good bilateral political relations. Zhu noted that the two economies are complementary with broad prospects, and in the process of a common development, China will always be a reliable friend of the Venezuelan people. Zhu briefed the visitors on China's reform and opening-up, as well as its economic construction. He also spoke positively of the achievements made in the political and social reform and economic development pushed forward by Chavez. Zhu expressed his appreciation for the Venezuelan government's independent foreign policy and contributions to the promotion of the integration of Latin America. Chavez recalled Jiang's successful visit to Venezuela over one month ago and his fruitful talks with Jiang yesterday, reiterating that his country will develop friendship and cooperation with China on the basis of equality and reciprocity and will make active efforts to this end. He briefed Zhu on Venezuela's domestic situation and highly evaluated the great accomplishments made by China in its reform, opening-up and economic construction. |
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