Venezuelan President Maduro says establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries has been one of the greatest legacies of Hugo Chavez. Maduro says he hopes the two sides can map out the development of their relations in the coming decade. And that he welcomes Chinese investment in Venezuela.
Just a week before the trip, President Maduro opened an account on Sina Weibo, China’s most popular microblogging website. It soon attracted more than 40-thousand followers.
President Maduro has been posting about his meetings with Chinese company leaders and described the morning as "fruitful". He announced on his micoblog that "I have met with leaders of China National Petroleum Corporation. We have agreed to start a joint venture to drill in Junin 10. And we have agreed on the preliminary output."
Other deals have been signed covering agriculture, water conservation, public transportation, and telecommunication and housing construction.
Relations between China and Venezuela strengthened greatly during Maduro’s nearly seven-year stint as foreign minister during Chavez’s administration.
Trade between the two countries reached almost 24 billion US dollars in 2012. Venezuela is now China’s fourth largest trading partner in Latin America.
(Source: CNTV.cn)