Senior Chinese party official Li Changchun's visit to Venezuela helped boost bilateral relations in political, economic and other areas.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, wrapped up a three-day visit to Venezuela and flew from Caracas to Suriname Tuesday morning.

Spokesman for the Chinese Delegation Guo Yezhou said the visit had been fruitful, as the two countries had agreed to advance their strategic partnership for common development.

During the visit, Li met with President Hugo Chavez, several government ministers and the head of parliament. He also visited the office of the South American branch of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) in Caracas.

Li and Chavez witnessed the signing of a number of cooperative deals Monday, which Chavez said will advance mutual investment and technological cooperation.

Li and his entourage were warmly welcomed in Venezuela. At a dinner banquet Monday evening, Chavez praised China as an important force for peace, justice and respect of sovereignty in the world.

He thanked China for providing assistance to Venezuela for the country's economic growth and takeoff, saying that the strategic partnership is progressing with unprecedented broadness.

Venezuela is the second leg of Li's Latin America and Caribbean trip, which has led him to Mexico and will continue to Suriname and Peru. Li will also visit Samoa, a South Pacific island nation, after the Latin America trip.

Source: Xinhua