Beijing, 23 December: China would like to join hands with Venezuela to bring the Sino-Venezuelan strategic partnership to a higher level, said President Hu Jintao while talking with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias here [on] Thursday [23 December].

Hu spoke highly of the achievements made by both sides since they established diplomatic ties 30 years ago. He said during the 30 years, especially since President Chavez came into power, bilateral relations have been deepened and more high-level visits have been carried out. The two countries enhanced mutual understanding and political trust, expanded trade and economic cooperation and supported and closely cooperated with each other in international affairs.

The Chinese government thanks the Venezuelan government for its adherence to the one-China policy, and appreciates and welcomes its recognition of China's full market economy status, said Hu.

Chavez said that Venezuela-China relations have been consolidated in the past 30 years. The two sides have carried out fruitful cooperation in fields like the economy, culture and science and technology.

He said the Venezuelan government and people thank the Chinese government and people for their help in the economic and social development over years, noting that the Venezuelan government firmly adheres to the one-China policy and backs China's reunification cause.

Hu said the new Chinese central leadership attaches great importance to developing Sino-Venezuelan relations. In order to deepen the relationship, he suggested that both sides keep high- level contacts and deepen their political ties, expand exchanges between governments, parliaments and political parties and better utilize the bilateral high-level mixed committee system.

He also suggested that the two countries expand cooperation for mutual benefit, expand cooperation in the energy sector, launch mining cooperative projects and enrich cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure construction and [the] high-tech sector. They should also better coordinate and cooperate in international and regional affairs for world peace, stability and development.

Chavez said he fully agreed with Hu's suggestion, adding that the Venezuelan government believes the exchanges and cooperation will benefit both countries in their development.

Chavez arrived here [on] Thursday morning for a five-day state visit. This is his third state visit to China.