Political Lens

Xi, Venezuela's Maduro exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of ties

President Xi Jinping and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday exchanged congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Noting that China and Venezuela are good partners of mutual trust and common development, Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties half a century ago, the two sides have supported each other in the changing international landscape, worked together to defend international fairness and justice as well as the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and forged an "ironclad" friendship.

Xi noted that during President Maduro's successful state visit to China last September, they jointly announced the elevation of the China-Venezuela relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership, ushering bilateral relations into a new era.

For his part, Maduro said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and China 50 years ago, bilateral ties have made considerable progress, adding in particular, that the establishment of an all-weather strategic partnership between Venezuela and China is of historic significance.

Xinhua