Nation at a Glance

Location

'Simon Bolivar' satellite: symbol of technological sovereignty

Nearly four years after its first satellite was launched with assistance from China, Venezuela plans to launch a second this year, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced recently.

Venezuela: land of opportunities

Venezuela is a bridge connecting North America, South America and Europe, and its proximity to the Panama Canal facilitates access to all those countries bordering the Pacific Ocean.

Energy powering close bilateral ties

It has been 11 years since an Energy Cooperation Agreement was signed that signaled the beginning of strong trade between China and Venezuela.

Voyage of culture that spans oceans

Distance and geography are not obstacles when two countries forge enduring cultural bonds.

Country of beauty and contrast

A country blessed by geographical location, Venezuela represents the diversity of South America.

Building safe houses for the impoverished

Three hundred and twenty young people were working hard at the construction site on a mountain slope. They wheeled barrows of red bricks up the slope, passing the bricks in a relay and laid the bricks under the scorching sun.

Major diabetes study launched

Oxford University's Nuffield Department of Medicine has opened an office in Beijing that will help pioneer research into diabetes in China that experts hope will have global significance.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Geely reaffirms focus on quality standards

China's homegrown brands are expected to become more popular in the next 10 years due to an increasing emphasis on product quality, auto industry insiders say.

Domestic auto giant rolls out first SUV

The Gleagle GX7, Chinese automaker Geely's first SUV model, will be launched commercially at this year's Beijing Auto Show.

Automechanika Shanghai expects to set new records

China's auto industry is looking forward to the largest-ever Automechanika Shanghai show at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from Dec 11 to 14 with a record 3,900 exhibitors and 70,000 buyers expected.