China and Venezuela should implement cooperation projects in the key sectors of energy, agriculture, infrastructure and high-technology, said China Vice President Zeng Qinghong in a meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Saturday in Caracas.

Zeng said China and Venezuela should expand cooperation by encouraging contacts in politics, culture, the press, and science and technology.

China and Venezuela should also enhance dialogue and consultations in international affairs so that they can coordinate their positions, Zeng added.

Since the two countries announced to forge a strategic partnership of common development in 2001, Zeng said, bilateral friendly cooperation in various fields have advanced rapidly.

During Chavez's recent visit to China, leaders of the two countries reached important consensus on bilateral ties, laying a new foundation for furthering the relations, he said.

Zeng hoped his visit will help implement the consensus so as to give new impetus to mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chavez agreed on Zeng's viewpoints, noting bilateral ties are based on equality, mutual benefit and respect. Cooperation in agriculture, energy, science and technology between the two countries is developing rapidly, he said.

The Chinese economy is growing at a fast pace and Venezuela is also striving to develop its economy, offering a good opportunity for the two to reinforce cooperation, he said.

The signing of a series of cooperation documents demonstrated the sincere aspirations of the two sides for cooperation, he said, adding Zeng's visit would help push bilateral political, economic,trade and social relations to a new stage.

After the talks, Zeng and Chavez attended a signing ceremony of several bilateral cooperation accords.

Also on Saturday, the two sides jointly issued a press communique, saying the two sides are glad to see Venezuela's recognition of China's status as a full market economy during Chavez's 2004 visit.

The two sides vowed to further develop and reinforce economic cooperation in a bid to create a long-term stable and fair trading environment.

The communique said Venezuela will stick to a "one China" policy and opposes "Taiwan independence." It supports China's peaceful reunification under the principle of "one country, two systems" and the adoption of an anti-secession law.

Zeng arrived Friday in Venezuela, the third leg of his five-nation tour in Latin America and Caribbean.

He has visited Mexico and Peru and will travel to Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, where he will attend the opening of the first ministerial meeting of the China-Caribbean Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum.