Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin expressed his admiration for and congratulations to Venezuela for its achievements in safeguarding state sovereignty and invigorating the national economy.

Jiang made the remarks Monday during a meeting with President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

Chavez expressed thanks for China's support of his country and people and said the prospect of bilateral relations is "encouraging,'' according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

He briefed Jiang on the domestic situation in Venezuela stating that although Venezuelan people had encountered problems in the past, they are confident about the future.

Venezuela is making important progress in its economic sector and its economy is recovering; it also wants to play a more positive role in international affairs, according to Chavez.

Venezuela has adopted a more independent foreign affairs policy and is firmly safeguarding the state's sovereignty, he added.

"Venezuela is earnestly looking forward to furthering its co-operation with China,'' the president was quoted as saying during the meeting.

Jiang invited Chavez to visit China in May of this year and Chavez accepted the invitation.

President Chavez made a successful state visit to China in October 1999. The two sides signed seven documents, including three memorandums of understanding on the establishment of a mixed energy committee, the mutual protection of investment and a US$30 million export credit offered to Venezuela by the Bank of China.

The two countries are expected to sign several more documents Wednesday.

Jiang said that Venezuela is rich in energy resources, while China has more than 1.2 billion people, so they can complement each other both economically and technologically.

Co-operation prospects in agriculture, fishing and energy are also promising, according to Jiang.

The meeting held between the two presidents "has strengthened mutual understanding, deepened the friendship, decided a future development direction and will push the two countries to jointly develop a strategic partnership,'' according to the spokesman.

"The meeting has been constructive and has achieved great and positive results,'' he said.

The Chinese president also briefed Chavez on China's economic situation and its strategy to develop a socialist market economy.

Jiang yesterday also laid a wreath in front of the grave of Simon Bolivar to show his respect. Bolivar is regarded as the Liberator of South America and the father of Venezuela.

On Sunday, Jiang visited the former residence of Bolivar.

President Jiang flew into Caracas to start his state visit to Venezuela on Sunday, the visit is the last leg of his six-nation Latin America tour.

Jiang has also visited Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Cuba.

(China Daily 04/17/2001)