China backs Venezuela’s ‘greater role’ in Latin America: Foreign minister

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday said that Beijing backs Venezuela’s “greater role” in Latin America, besides supporting Caracas' efforts to safeguard “national sovereignty and dignity.”

Wang made these remarks during a meeting with Venezuela’s visiting Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto in the capital Beijing, Global Times reported.

“As good friends, partners and comrades, regardless of how the international and regional situation changes, China will unwaveringly develop China-Venezuela relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and jointly oppose any external interference and bullying actions,” he was quoted as saying.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He emphasized that Beijing supports Venezuela's efforts to safeguard “national sovereignty and dignity, its exploration of a development path suited to its own national conditions, and its greater role in the world, especially in Latin America.”

China, he went on to say, is willing to further expand bilateral trade, broaden cooperation areas, and assist Venezuela in accelerating its industrialization and economic diversification.

Gil, for his part, said his country upholds the “one-China principle” and firmly supports Beijing on issues involving its “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Venezuela is willing to work with China to successfully organize activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and looks forward to deepening cooperation in trade, technology, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, aerospace and cultural exchanges, Gil said.

Apart from Gil, top officials from another two South American nations, Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Cuban president’s special envoy Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, are currently visiting China this week.