China supports Venezuela's application for a non-permanent position in the United Nations Security Council, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang on Thursday.

"China and Venezuela now enjoy sound bilateral relations and have maintained close communication and cooperation in dealing with international and regional affairs," said Qin.

Qin told the press that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had talked about the country's plans to run for non-permanent member status on the UN Security Council in meetings with senior Chinese officials during his recent visit to China.

According to the UN rules, a country from the Latin American and Caribbean region will be appointed to the Security Council as a non-permanent member next year. Its tenure will last for two years. There are ten non-permanent and five permanent members on the UN Security Council.

Source: Xinhua