Chinese VP talks about bilateral ties, cooperation, common development in Venezuela(1)

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CARACAS, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at a seminar here Tuesday, elaborating on bilateral ties, cooperation and common development between China and Venezuela.
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR BILATERAL TIES
In his speech at the opening ceremony of a seminar attended by entrepreneurs from both China and Venezuela, Xi said bilateral ties have seen comprehensive and fast growth since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago, particularly after the two countries built their strategic partnership for common development in 2001.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping makes a speech at a business seminar in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 17, 2009. Xi arrived in Caracas Tuesday for an official visit to Venezuela. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)Photo Gallery>>>
Both sides have enjoyed close high-level exchanges, strengthened mutual political trust and fruitful cooperation in all areas, he said.
Venezuela has become China's fourth biggest oil provider and fifth largest trade partner in Latin America, with bilateral trade volume reaching a record 9.85 billion U.S. dollars in 2008 -- a year-on-year increase of 68.2 percent, said Xi.
He noted that the strengthening of friendly, mutually beneficial cooperation is in keeping with the fundamental interests of both peoples. It is also conducive to the common development of the two countries as well as to relations between China and Latin America as a whole.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (1st L) talks with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (1st R) at a business seminar in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)Photo Gallery>>>
Xi said he had held "very fruitful talks" with Vice President Ramon Carrizales on Tuesday.
"We both are very enthusiastic and determined to develop friendly cooperation between our two countries."
To that end, Xi proposed that both China and Venezuela focus on the following four aspects:
First, both nations should focus on common development and boost mutual political trust. China and Venezuela should view each other from a strategic perspective and adhere to the principles of mutual trust, mutual assistance, reciprocity and mutual benefits.
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at a business seminar in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)