The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela recognized China's full market economy status Thursday.

The Venezuelan government made this recognition in the third meeting briefing of the high-level mixed committee. The document was signed by the two governments in Beijing during Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias's five-day state visit to China.

Both sides believed this recognition will help the two countries cooperate in the World Trade Organization and further boost the bilateral economic relations.

So far, 27 countries have recognized China's full market economy status, including New Zealand, Nigeria, Russia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Djibouti, South Africa, Togo, Guyana, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2004)