China congratulates new Venezuelan foreign minister

China on Friday congratulated Felix Plasencia, Venezuelan ambassador to China, on his appointment as foreign minister of Venezuela, calling him "a good friend of the Chinese people".

On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appointed Felix Plasencia, who was Venezuela's vice-foreign minister, minister for tourism and foreign trade before being appointed ambassador, as the new foreign minister.

"He is dedicated to the development of China-Venezuela relations and is a good friend of the Chinese people," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

"We also send our best wishes to Minister Jorge Arreaza, who will take the post of Minister of Industry and National Production. We thank him for his positive contribution to China-Venezuela relations during his term as foreign minister," Hua said.

The spokeswoman said China is ready to work with Venezuela to maintain the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and promote new development in China-Venezuela relations and cooperation in various fields to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.