Chavez made the comments at a press conference prior to his departure to Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province to continue his five-day state visit.

He noted that the two countries signed a series of agreements of cooperation and the mechanism of bilateral cooperation has been further enhanced.

Chavez said that his visit further consolidated and developed the already existing friendly cooperative relations between the two countries, adding that the bilateral ties have made tangible progress.

The president said that he hopes the two sides will continue to make efforts to push forward their cooperation in the areas of agriculture, energy, science and technology, so as to contribute to a better life of both peoples

(Xinhua 05/26/2001)