Xi seeks greater collaboration with Venezuela

President Xi Jinping called for more cooperation with Venezuela in areas including finance, minerals and agriculture when meeting with visiting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday.

Venezuela has sent a guard of honor to join China's military parade, showing that both the Venezuelan government and the president attach great importance to the development of China-Venezuela ties, Xi said.

Maduro is visiting China to attend the military parade on Sept 3 marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression(1937-45).

Maduro said China's victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression has great historical meaning and Venezuela wants to enhance cooperation with China in multiple areas including energy and finance.

During Xi's state visit to Venezuela in July last year, the two presidents signed 38 agreements, including a $4 billion loan in exchange for oil. The agreements also involve fields such as finance, the economy, science and technology and agriculture.

The relationship between China and Venezuela was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Xi's visit. Since 2001, the two countries have signed 480 cooperation agreements.