Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan (1st L Back) speaks while Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias (3rd L Back) looks on during the closing ceremony of the fifth meeting of the China-Venezuela mixed committee in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The fifth meeting of the China-Venezuela mixed committee closed on Thursday in Beijing's Great Hall of the People with speeches from Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

    Zeng said China and Venezuela had built "a strategic partnership of common development" with both countries understanding and supporting each other on important international issues. Communication had greatly improved and the relationship had developed.

    Since the committee's establishment five years ago, the two nations have done extensive cooperation on energy, agriculture and infrastructure, which promoted bilateral trade and investment by a big margin.

    During the meeting, a series of government and business agreements had been signed.

    Chavez said relations had grown broader and closer since his China visit last time.

    He said his government would work with China to enhance and strengthen the strategic partnership.

    Before the ceremony, Zeng and Chavez exchanged views on strengthening economic and technical cooperation. Enterprises from both countries signed cooperative agreements in fields such as energy, mining, agriculture and telecommunications. Enditem