Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday left on a week-long multination tour which will take him to China for the first time and Europe for the second time.

"There is a lot of work to do," Chavez said in his Sunday radio and TV program "Hello President".

Chavez will pay a quick visit to Cuba and then travel to China.

Chavez said that during his stay in China, both sides would sign agreements on cooperation in such areas as transportation, infrastructure, telecommunications, sports, energy, farming and husbandry technology and education.

After visiting Beijing, Chavez will go to Russia, France and Portugal.

During his visit to Russia, Chavez will sign agreements on energy and military cooperation, among others.

Chavez said he decided to visit Paris at the invitation of French President Nicolas Sarkosky.

In Portugal, Chavez said he will purchase computers for children.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2008)