Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Friday with Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.

Wen said Sino-Venezualan relations have entered a new stage since the two countries forged strategic partnership of common prosperity in 2001, and at present bilateral cooperation has developed rapidly in economic, scientific, and cultural fields.

The two countries have maintained close contact in dealing withinternational affairs, he said, adding that China appreciates the support of Venezuela on the Taiwan and human rights issues.

Wen said China and Venezuela are complementary in economy, andhave great potential for development, and the two sides should implement the cooperative agreements as soon as possible, and expand the cooperation on energy resources, mining and infrastructure.

Chavez said Venezuela attaches importance to the strategic relations with China, and the situation in Venezuela now is stableand suitable for improving economic and trade cooperation.

He said relevant departments and enterprises of the two countries should expand cooperation on agriculture, energy resources, and telecommunications.

Source: Xinhua