Xi and Maduro congratulate each other on the 50th anniversary of Sino-Venezuelan relations

The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, exchanged congratulatory messages this Friday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and Venezuela.

Xi highlighted the “trust and shared development” that have characterized relations for five decades.Our friendship was forged in adversity.supporting each other in the changing international scenario and defending global justice and the legitimate rights of developing countries.”

The Chinese leader recalled Maduro’s state visit to China in September 2023, when both leaders agreed to raise the level of their countries’ bilateral relations. “China is willing to continue this traditional friendship and Taking our strategic partnership to new heights“thus contributing to world peace and development,” Xi said, according to a statement released by China’s Foreign Ministry.

Maduro expressed his satisfaction with the “significant progress” in bilateral ties. “Venezuela remains firm in its support for China in the defense of its national sovereignty and opposes any attempt at containment against China”he said. Maduro also reiterated Venezuela’s commitment to actively participate in the Chinese Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, according to the Chinese diplomacy note.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi received his Venezuelan counterpart Yván Eduardo Gil in Beijing earlier this month, and told him that China will “unwaveringly” develop ties with Venezuela from a “strategic” and “long-term” perspective.

Gil, who visited China to evaluate the bilateral agreements signed in various areas, said he hopes to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, aerospace and humanities, and that Venezuela “values ​​membership of China to equity and justice in international affairs.”