China and Venezuela signed 19 documents Saturday on issues ranging from economic cooperation to visa procedures following talks between visiting Vice President Zeng Qinghong and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Caracas. 

The documents include a letter of intent on China's investment in the construction of an agricultural special economic zone on Guara Island and Venezuela's telecommunications network.

 

The two countries signed memorandums of understanding on ocean shipping and peaceful utilization of the outer space, and an agreement on oil and gas exploitation.

 

They also agreed to simplify visa procedures for officials engaged in governmental cooperation programs.

 

Zeng, at the invitation of Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, arrived here Friday for an official visit.

 

He is in a five-nation tour in Latin America and the Caribbean, which has taken him to Mexico and Peru. He will also visit Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, where he is scheduled to attend the opening of the first ministerial meeting of the China-Caribbean Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2005)