Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias will pay a state visit to China from Sept. 23 to 25 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday at a regular press conference.

Jiang said Chavez would hold talks with Hu and meet with other Chinese leaders, exchanging views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

The two sides would sign documents on judicial issues, sports and quality supervision and inspection during the visit, according to the spokeswoman.

Jiang spoke positively of the steady development of bilateral ties and cooperation since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 34 years ago.

"The cooperation is conducted on the basis of equality, mutual benefits and common development, not targeting any third party," she said.

Jiang called energy cooperation a part of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Venezuela.

"The oil that China imports from Venezuela only accounts for 4 percent of China's total oil imports," Jiang said, adding that cooperation in the field "will not influence Venezuela's oil supply to other countries."

Chavez previously visited China in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2006.

"President Chavez had been hoping to visit China since late last year, and the two sides set the date in accordance with the arrangements of the leaders of the two countries," Jiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2008)