China would like to join hands with Venezuela to further bilateral relations, said Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong at a meeting with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias in Beijing Friday.

The Chinese people cherish fraternal feelings towards the Venezuelan people, and both regard each other as reliable friends, Zeng said.

In 2001, leaders of the two countries established strategic partnership of common progress between the two countries in the new century, which marked a new era for the development of bilateral relations, he said.

During this visit, the two sides reached an important consensus on enhancing bilateral relations, he said, expressing satisfaction with the smooth development of the two countries.

Chavez said the two countries have witnessed rapid development of bilateral relations in recent years. It is time to strengthen political and economic partnership, he said.

He discussed future cooperation with Zeng, expressing hope the two countries will grasp opportunities and cooperate actively to push forward the strategic partnership.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2004)