Joint statement of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) on establishing all-weather strategic partnership (full text)
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 13th
Joint statement of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) on establishing all-weather strategic partnership
1. At the invitation of the Supreme Leader of President People’s Republic of China (PRC), President Nicolá s Maduro Moros Moros of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela paid his third state visit to People’s Republic of China (PRC) from September 8 to 14, 2023. During the visit, the two heads of state held talks in a warm and friendly atmosphere, exchanged views on China-Venezuela relations, bilateral cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus. People’s Republic of China (PRC) the State Council Prime Minister Li Qiang and the NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji met with President Maduro respectively.
2. Both sides agreed that since the establishment of diplomatic relations on June 28, 1974, especially since the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries on July 21, 2014, no matter how the international situation changes, China-Venezuela relations have always been fearless and rock-solid, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results.
3. Based on the common desire to upgrade the level of bilateral relations and further deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields, and taking into account the profound changes in the current international and regional situation, the two sides unanimously decided to upgrade China-Venezuela relations to an all-weather strategic partnership, further give play to the political leading role of heads of state diplomacy, expand pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in various fields, strengthen strategic cooperation in international affairs, enhance the well-being of the two peoples, and jointly promote the building of a community of human destiny.
Iv. The Venezuelan side once again warmly congratulated The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China（CPC） and the National People’s Congress on their successful convening, warmly congratulated the Chairman of the Supreme Leader on his re-election as Chairman of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and People’s Republic of China (PRC), spoke highly of China’s great achievements in the decade of the new era, and believed that Chinese-style modernization provided a new choice for mankind to realize modernization. We firmly believe that under the leadership of the Supreme Leader General Secretary, the people of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China will make great achievements in the cause of Socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
五、中方再次热烈祝贺委内瑞拉统一社会主义党第五次全国代表大会胜利召开，热烈祝贺马杜罗总统再次当选委统社党主席。尊重委内瑞拉人民选择符合本国国情的发展道路，支持委内瑞拉政府和人民为维护国家稳定、发展与和平所作的努力。
六、中国和委内瑞拉是相互信赖的好朋友、共同发展的好伙伴、战略协作的好战友。双方重申在彼此核心利益问题上坚定相互支持。中方坚定支持委方，在解放者西蒙·玻利瓦尔遗志指引下，维护国家独立、主权、民族尊严、社会经济稳定和自决权。委方重申恪守一个中国原则的坚定立场，承认中华人民共和国政府是代表全中国的唯一合法政府，台湾是中国领土不可分割的一部分，坚定支持中国政府为实现国家统一所作的一切努力。双方一致同意坚决反对任何外部势力以任何借口干预本国内政，反对任何势力借台湾、涉港、涉疆、涉藏、南海、人权等问题干涉中国内政。
7. The two sides believe that it is necessary to work together to safeguard the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom of all mankind, and promise to continue to work together to safeguard the international order based on international law and the basic norms of international relations and the international system centered on the purposes and principles of the United Nations and its Charter, and oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, all forms of unilateralism, and the establishment of camps and exclusive circles targeting specific countries. Venezuela thanked China for participating in the "Group of Friends for Defending the Charter of the United Nations" and promised to continue to work with China to build a new type of international relations, deepen the expansion of a global partnership of equality, openness and cooperation, jointly promote world peace and development, consolidate a multi-center and multi-polar world, and work together to build a community of human destiny.
8. Venezuela warmly welcomes and firmly supports the "One Belt, One Road" initiative proposed by Chairman of the Supreme Leader. The two sides recalled the memorandum of understanding signed in September 2018 to jointly build the Belt and Road, spoke highly of the fruitful achievements made by the two countries under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road, and are willing to continue to deepen cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road. On the basis of signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Foreign Trade of Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) on jointly speeding up the preparation of the cooperation plan for building the Belt and Road, the two sides are willing to speed up the signing of the cooperation planning document for building the Belt and Road between China and Venezuela.
9. Venezuela highly appreciates and supports the global development initiative, global security initiative and global civilization initiative put forward by the Supreme Leader Chairman. China appreciates Venezuela’s taking the lead in joining the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation within the framework of global development initiatives, global security initiatives and global civilization initiatives in order to achieve stronger, more sustainable and more balanced global development.
X. Both sides agreed that at present, changes in the world, times and history are unfolding in an unprecedented way. As both developing countries, China and Venezuela share broad common interests and similar positions in international affairs. The two sides positively evaluated the strategic cooperation between the two countries in international organizations and multilateral mechanisms and will continue to firmly support each other in international affairs.
11. Venezuela reiterated its interest in joining the BRICS countries. As a reliable energy supplier, Venezuela is the world’s largest oil and fourth largest natural gas reserve country, which can make an important contribution to the energy agenda of the mechanism. China welcomes Venezuela’s positive intention to join the BRICS countries and supports Venezuela’s efforts to achieve this goal.
12. Venezuela highly appreciates China’s efforts to support the development of countries in the global South, promote world economic growth and create new practices in economic governance, and is willing to join financial institutions such as the New Development Bank and financing cooperation initiatives. Similarly, Venezuela will continue to support the internationalization of RMB.
Thirteen, the two sides agreed that we must proceed from their own reality and explore the development path of democracy and human rights that meets the needs of the people. We oppose any country abusing democratic values, interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign countries on the pretext of safeguarding democracy and human rights, provoking world division and confrontation, politicizing and instrumentalizing human rights issues and imposing its own will and standards on other countries.
14. Illegal coercive unilateral sanctions seriously violate the basic principles of international law, such as sovereign equality of States and non-interference in internal affairs, and seriously damage the Venezuelan people’s rights to survival, development and peace. China firmly supports the Venezuelan people’s just struggle to defend national sovereignty and oppose external sanctions, opposes illegal coercive unilateral sanctions and so-called "long-arm jurisdiction" imposed on Venezuela by individual countries under any pretext, opposes any political bullying, and opposes military intervention or threat of force.
15. Both sides agreed that dialogue and negotiation are the only feasible way to solve the Ukrainian crisis, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be encouraged and supported. Venezuela highly appreciates and firmly supports the Chinese proposal. The two sides called on more countries to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.
16. Both sides spoke highly of the 17th meeting of the China-Venezuela High-level Mixed Commission held on September 13th, 2023. It is unanimously agreed to continue to play the institutional role of the High Commission in planning, guiding and implementing cooperation between the two countries and deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields.
17. The two sides will continue to promote and deepen cooperation in the fields of energy, finance, economy and trade, investment, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, communications and digital economy, and adhere to mutual benefit and friendship for the benefit of the two peoples. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Further Strengthening Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development, the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Industrial Investment and Cooperation, the Memorandum of Understanding on Developing Sustainable Development Cooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Digital Economy Cooperation by the relevant departments of the two countries. Venezuela spoke highly of China’s great achievements in the construction of special economic zones and tackling poverty, and China is willing to support Venezuela’s construction of special economic zones. China appreciates Venezuela’s active participation in China International Import Expo(CIIE), Canton Fair and service trade fairs, and supports Venezuela’s enterprises to participate more in economic and trade exhibitions held in China. The two sides agreed to further develop bilateral trade and enrich the types of commodities traded.
18. Through joint efforts, China and Venezuela have completed the negotiation of the Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment. The two sides agreed to complete the signing and entry into force of the agreement as soon as possible, so as to benefit both investors as soon as possible. Venezuela reiterated its welcome to China enterprises and investors to expand their investment in Venezuela and give full play to the favorable conditions of the existing legal framework.
19. The two sides agreed to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the legislatures of the two countries and their special committees and friendship groups, and further strengthen the exchange of experience in legislation and governance. They agreed to strengthen local exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and further deepen the established friendly provincial and state relations. Agree to promote more local provinces and cities to develop friendly relations.
20. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cultural and educational exchanges, promote exchanges and cooperation between mainstream media and educational institutions of the two countries, and close social and cultural ties between China and Venezuela. We agreed to further facilitate the overseas students studying in China, welcomed the relevant departments of the two countries to renew the implementation plan for educational exchange, and agreed to further facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries, develop Chinese education in China and expand tourism exchanges. The Venezuelan side appreciates China’s inclusion of Venezuela in the list of countries that have resumed outbound team tourism.
21. The two sides recalled the achievements made in the satellite projects of Wei Xing-1, Wei Yao-1 and Wei Yao-2, and agreed to further deepen cooperation in the space field, strengthen coordination on platforms such as COPUOS, and promote fair and reasonable global governance of outer space. China welcomes Venezuela to join the International Lunar Research Station. The two sides highly appreciate the signing of the framework agreement on cooperation in the space field, and are willing to work together to promote the progress of cooperation projects in the fields of communication and remote sensing satellites, the moon and deep space exploration, and promote the promotion of space capabilities and national economic development of the two countries.
22. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the aviation field, welcomed the signing of air transport agreements by the relevant departments of the two countries, and encouraged airlines of the two countries to open flights between China and Venezuela in a timely manner according to market principles.
23. Noting the common concern about climate change, the two sides will promote the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and agree to promote environmental cooperation to cope with climate change and biodiversity loss. China will accelerate the water resources protection materials project of the aid commission. The two sides welcome the continuous efforts of the members of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization to formulate a common policy for the protection of the Amazon and the sustainable development of the region based on science and technology and the protection of the well-being of residents in the region.
Twenty-four, Venezuela sincerely thanks China for its anti-epidemic support during the COVID-19 epidemic. China’s vaccines, medical supplies and Chinese medical teams played a key role in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic and made important contributions to saving the lives of millions of people. The two sides agreed to promote health cooperation between the two countries by sharing experience and technology.
25. Both sides agreed that data security concerns the security and economic and social development of all countries. Venezuela positively evaluated the Global Data Security Initiative proposed by China and is willing to promote the formulation of global digital governance rules.
26. The two sides spoke highly of the important role of the China-Latin America Forum in promoting China-Latin America relations. The two sides are willing to strengthen communication and coordination on China-Latin America Forum affairs, and promote China-Latin America relations to be stable and far-reaching in the new era of equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefiting the people. China spoke highly of Venezuela’s positive role in Latin American and Caribbean affairs and in promoting the sustainable development of China-Latin America cooperation.
27. The two sides support Latin America and the Caribbean as a nuclear-free zone, and oppose Japan’s nuclear pollution water discharging into the sea.
28. Both sides agreed to hold a series of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela in 2024.
29. The two heads of state expressed satisfaction with a series of outcome documents signed by the two sides during this visit.
30. The two sides believe that President Maduro’s visit was a complete success, which is of great significance to deepening China-Venezuela all-weather strategic partnership and promoting a community of Latin American destiny in the new era. President Maduro sincerely thanked the Chairman of the Supreme Leader and the government and people of China for their warm and friendly reception during his visit, and welcomed the Chairman of the Supreme Leader to pay a state visit to Venezuela in due course.