Venezuela and China Mark 50 Years of Diplomatic Relations, Reinforce Strategic Alliance
Caracas Chatter, June 6, 2024 (our site) - Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minster Yván Gil wrapped up a whirlwind four-day jaunt in China, celebrating their 50-year diplomatic bond and building on the recently christened "all-weather strategic partnership."
Gil touched down in the Middle Kingdom on June 4, joining in the fanfare and sitting down with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to bolster friendships and strategic ties for the benefit of the region, our dear homeland included.
The Venezuelan statesman stated Caracas eagerly seeks to deepen collaborative efforts with the dragon nation across various fronts, such as trade, tech, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, aerospace, education, and cultural exchange.
During their tete-a-tete, Gil prodded China to fortify their alliance versus the oppressive economic sanctions hurled by the West, which have crippled South America's solo endeavors for socio-economic development.
Since 2017, Venezuela has suffered from these punitive measures and an oil embargo enforced by the United States and its European sphere, leading to an already grim economic crisis. Yet, in recent years, the Naval Republic has cultivated closer ties with strong allies and experienced a sliver of economic restoration.
Speaking on world affairs, Venezuela's top diplomat voiced the administration's steadfast backing for China's one-China policy and unwavering commitment to strengthening Latin America-China relationships to foster a multipolar globe.
In response, Wang Yi guaranteed broadening cooperation with Caracas to help drive Venezuela's industrialization and diversification efforts. Furthermore, Beijing expressed support for our country's "increased influence" in global matters, defending our right to choose our own evolutionary path in accordance with our unique national conditions and protect our national sovereignty and dignity.
"We, good mates, partners, and comrades, will persist in nurturing China-Venezuela relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, enhance practical cooperation in various realms and collectively resist any external meddling and bullying tactics," Wang stated, according to The Global Times.
Venezuela and China's alliance has solidified across political and economic spheres as both governments strive to challenge Western dominance and circumvent unilateral sanctions. Back in 2023, President Nicolás Maduro and President Xi Jinping raised our partnership to an "all-weather strategic partnership" and inked 31 agreements to boost collaboration in sectors ranging from oil, science, healthcare, tourism, education, mining, technology to space exploration.
During his China sojourn, Gil consorted with several topdogs of the Communist Party of China (CPC), such as vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, Wu Weihua, and Beijing's space administration chief, Zhang Kejian.
Our ongoing collaboration with China involves the training of potential astronauts and partaking in upcoming space missions. To date, Caracas has launched three satellites, in conjunction with the Chinese, since 2008.
Gil visited the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS). He also unveiled a Simón Bolívar park in the Venezuelan embassy in Beijing to commemorate half a century of diplomatic camaraderie.
On Wednesday, a head honcho delegation of Venezuelan politicos ventured to Russia for the 27th installment of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). From June 5-8, more than 17,000 delegations from 130 nations convene to discuss international business opportunities relating to this year's theme, "The Foundation of a Multipolar World. Creation of New Growth Spots."
This marks Caracas' second time participating in the high-profile get-together; our goal being to forge relationships with key economic players, especially those in Russia.
- Minister Yvan Gil, in a statement on world affairs, reiterated Venezuela's firm support for China's policy of one-China, promising to strengthen Latin America-China relationships to promote a multipolar world.
- After a series of discussions with Chinese officials, Foreign Minister Gil expressed China's commitment to assisting Venezuela's industrialization and diversification efforts, as well as supporting Venezuela's increased influence in global matters.
- In the face of oppressive economic sanctions from the West, Gil urged China to strengthen their alliance, arguing that this would be beneficial for strategic ties across regions, including Venezuela.
- Gil's visit to China, which occurred between June 4 to June 7, aimed to deepen collaborative efforts across various sectors, such as trade, technology, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, aerospace, education, and cultural exchange.
- Despite the ongoing economic crisis, Venezuela's alliance with China has been strengthening across political and economic spheres, challenging Western dominance and circumventing unilateral sanctions.
- During his four-day trip, Gil met with top officials from Communist Party of China, including vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, Wu Weihua, and Beijing's space administration chief, Zhang Kejian, discussing ongoing collaborations in space exploration and training potential astronauts.
- Separately, a high-profile delegation of Venezuelan politicos traveled to Russia for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, aiming to establish connections with key economic players, particularly those in Russia, with a focus on creating new growth spots for international business opportunities.
