Last Update: 2003/09/26

    I. Bilateral Political Relations

    Diplomatic relations were formally established on June 28, 1974 between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Venezuela. China set up its embassy in Venezuela in September 1974 and Venezuelan embassy in China was opened in November of the same year.

    Ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have enjoyed a smooth development of bilateral relations, characterized with a frequent exchange of high-level visits, a steady expansion of trade and economic cooperation and increasing exchanges in the fields of culture, education, science and technology. In international affairs, the two countries understand each other and collaborate closely. Venezuela supported China for its membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO). At the 55th, 56th and 57th sessions of the UN human rights committee, Venezuela voted for China's No-action motion against the anti-China proposals put forward by the United States.

    Mutual Visits:

    From October 27 to November 2, 1981, President Campings paid an official visit to China. It was the first visit to China ever made by a Venezuelan Head of State. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Sapuraro and Defense Minister Lt. General Laiyer accompanied him on the visit. Vice- Chairman Deng Xiaoping of the CPC Central Committee met with the guests and Chinese Premier held two rounds of talks with them. Vice-Premier and Defense Minister Geng Biao met with his Venezuelan counterpart. During the visit, Vice-Premier Kang Shi'en and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Sapuraro, on behalf of their respective governments, signed an agreement on cultural cooperation and an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation.

    On November 9-12, 1985, at the invitation of Venezuelan President Lusinch, Chinese Premier an official and friendly visit to Venezuela, the first visit ever made by the head of the Chinese government. Chinese Premier held two rounds of talks with Venezuelan President Lusinch. He also met with President of the National Assembly and Senate Speaker Anrod Mora, Deputy President of the National Assembly and President of the House of Representatives Lairanlado Field, Former President Carldera, General Secretary of Democratic Action Party Pheniaer and leader of Christian Social Party respectively. During the visit, the two countries signed a trade agreement, China-Venezuela cultural exchanges program for 1984-1988 and the protocol on scientific and technological cooperation in oil survey and exploration.

    On November 12-14, 1996, at the invitation of Venezuelan President Caldera, Chinese Premier Li Peng paid an official visit to Venezuela. Premier Li held talks and exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations and international issues of common interest with President Caldera. President Caldera conferred the Medal of Liberator upon Premier Li. Premier Li also met with President of the National Assembly and Senate Speaker Fielnandes, Vice-President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives Jelermo, and Minister of Energy and Mining Aleta. Li also delivered a speech entitled "Jointly Compose a New Chapter of China-Latin American Friendly Cooperation" in the headquarters of the "Latin American Economic System". During the visit, the two sides signed an agreement on cooperation in the joint petroleum exploitation, an agreement on retention of Consulate General of Venezuela in Hong Kong SAR, an agreement on feasibility studies of jointly developing emulsified oil and an agreement on selling and purchasing emulsified oil.

    On October 10-13, 1999, at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin, Venezuelan President Chaves paid a state visit to China. President Jiang held talks with him. Premier Zhu Rongji and Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC Li Ruihuan met with President Chaves respectively. Leading officials from the State Planning and Development Commission, Ministry of Land and Resources, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, National Tourism Administration of the P.R.C., and China Petroleum and Natural Gas Corporation respectively held talks with relevant Venezuelan officials. During the visit, the two sides signed a number of agreements including a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of mixed joint energy committee; a memorandum of understanding on concluding a mutual investment protection agreement through discussions; a memorandum of understanding on provision of $30 million of credit loans to Venezuela by the Bank of China; Exchange of notes on the expansion of Consular district of Venezuelan Consulate General in Hong Kong to Macao, an agreement on cooperation between Foreign Affairs College of China and Venezuelan Academy of Higher Research, a framework agreement on cooperation between Nanjing University of China and Andes University, and a letter of intent on long-term goods credit of emulsified oil between China Petroleum and Gas Corporation and Venezuelan Petroleum Company. On October 17-18, President Chaves and his entourage paid a visit to Hong Kong SAR.

    On May 14-16, 2000, at the invitation of Venezuelan government, Chairman Li Ruihuan of the National Committee of the CPPCC paid an official friendly visit to Venezuela. Venezuelan President Chaves, Vice- President Roderiges and President of National Assembly Mijraina met with him respectively. Vice-President Roderiges held a banquet in honour of Chairman Li.

    On April 15-17, 2001, at the invitation of the President of the Bolivar Republic of Venezuela Chavez, President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Venezuela. During the visit, President Jiang Zemin and President Chavez held talks, exchanging views over bilateral relations and important international issues, and decided to establish a "strategic partnership of common development" between the two countries in the new century. President Jiang Zemin also met with President Lara of Venezuelan National Assembly.