Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez met with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Friday and the two leaders vowed to broaden cooperation in economy and trade, energy, agriculture and fight against poverty.

During the meeting, Hui conveyed to Chavez greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (R) meets with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, May 9, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Hui said under the joint efforts of the two countries, the Sino-Venezuela strategic partnership has ushered in a stage of full development, featuring close high-level contacts and deepened mutual trust; growing bilateral trade and optimized trade structure; remarkable progress in cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and science and technology; and close cooperation and mutual support in international and regional affairs.

Hui also said the Chinese government has attached great importance to the consolidation and development of the strategic partnership.

China is willing to work together with Venezuela to expand bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, energy, agriculture, fight against poverty and infrastructure under the principle of mutual benefit, win-win and common prosperity, to benefit the Chinese and Venezuelan people, Hui added.

For his part, Chavez also asked Hui to convey his greetings to President Hu and Premier Wen.

Speaking highly of the development in ties with China, Chavez said his country will join hands with China in enhancing contacts at all levels and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in energy, agriculture, economy and trade and fight against poverty.

Reiterating his country's adherence to the one-China policy, Chavez said the Tibet issue is China's internal affair and Venezuela completely supports China's policy and measures on the issue.

Chavez also said Venezuela opposes politicizing the Olympics, expressing his belief that the Beijing Olympics will be a great success.

Venezuela is the second leg of Hui's Latin America tour, which had taken him to Costa Rica. He will go on to visit Uruguay and Argentina.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2008)