On the afternoon of September 24, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is on a state visit to China. Both sides spoke highly of the positive achievements in the development of bilateral ties in recent years, agreeing to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas and push China-Venezuela strategic partnership of common development to a higher level.

In the talks, Hu, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, first welcomed President Chavez to visit China again and thanked the Venezuelan side for expressing sympathy and condolences and providing relief to China following an 8.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated the southwestern China on May 12. Hu also appreciated Venezuela’s support for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In response, Chavez hailed the complete success of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, which, he said, will be remembered forever by people all over the world. He also extended sympathy to the Chinese people over the huge property losses and casualties caused by the Wenchuan earthquake and expressed admiration for the hard-working spirit the Chinese government and people have demonstrated in the disaster relief efforts. He also wished the Chinese government and people an early success in the recovery and reconstruction of quake-hit regions.

Stressing both China and Venezuela stayed at an important stage, Hu said the two countries shared the goal of stepping up substantive cooperation and seeking common development and prosperity. China is ready to work with Venezuela to take the current visit by Chavez as an opportunity to advance bilateral strategic partnership of common development from the following four aspects. First, deepen sincere and friendly political ties. Hu proposed the two countries keep the high-level visits, enhance dialogues between the governments, legislatures and ruling parties, and exchange views on bilateral cooperation and major issues of common concern in a timely manner. He urged both sides to give full play to the planning, guiding and coordinating role of the mechanism of China-Venezuela high-level mixed committee in developing bilateral ties. Second, enhance mutually beneficial and win-win pragmatic cooperation. China is ready to deepen "all-phase and integrated" oil cooperation with Venezuela, encourage businesses to invest in Venezuela and establish a trade zone in the country. China will also participate in building Venezuela's infrastructures, including railway system, telecommunications network, social housing and hydro-power. Hu also called on the two countries to proceed from their complementary advantages and practical needs in agricultural cooperation, formulate short, mid and long-term plans on agricultural cooperation and identify and implement concrete cooperation projects. Third, expand various humanities exchanges. China is ready to work more closely with Venezuela in education, culture, science and technology, justice, sports, journalism and poverty eradication and learn from each other to promote development of their respective economic and social undertakings. Fourth, keep closer cooperation in international and regional affairs. Hu suggested both sides continue to strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral organizations as well as on global issues, push forward South-South cooperation and safeguard legitimate rights and interests of developing countries to jointly promote world peace and development.

Sharing Hu's views on bilateral ties, Chavez said bilateral trade had progressed smoothly, citing remarkable progress in oil, agriculture, science and infrastructure. Chavez said Venezuela is ready to view and develop friendly cooperative relations with China from a strategic perspective, given the frequently occurring economic, energy, ecological and food crises in the current world. Venezuela would also like to work closely with China to strengthen political ties, increase friendly exchanges between the governments, political parties, legislative bodies and localities of the two countries, expand pragmatic cooperation on energy, financing, agriculture and electromechanical products manufacturing and increase youth and cultural exchanges, so as to push Venezuela-China ties to a new level.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended a signing ceremony of a series of cooperation agreements concerning economy, oil, education and judicial assistance.

Prior to the talks, President Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for Chavez’s visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-Chairwoman Uyunqimg of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chen Kuiyuan, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of China Zhi Gong Party Li Zhuobin, Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai, Vice Chairman Zhu Zhixin of the National Development and Reform Commission, Governor of China Development Bank Chen Yuan and Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela Zhang Tuo attended the welcoming ceremony as well as the talks.