On January 7, 2015, President Xi Jinping met with President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping pointed out that last year, we jointly declared the elevation of the China-Venezuela relationship to the comprehensive strategic partnership, which has opened a new chapter in the development of China-Venezuela relations, with more solid political mutual trust as well as fresh vigor and vitality in the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation between the two countries. In the next stage, we should promote the development of the bilateral relations at a higher level, in a broader area and at a deeper structure. China supports Venezuela's active efforts to realize economic restructuring and establish a productive economic pattern. Both sides should reinforce the function of the China-Venezuela High-Level Mixed Committee, make good use of and bring into full play the financing cooperation mechanism, channel more funds into such production areas as energy, mineral deposits, agriculture and industry, promote cooperation in such fields as oil development, infrastructure and technological innovation, and launch the construction of the agricultural demonstration garden at an early date. Both sides should broaden people-to-people and cultural exchanges, strengthen personnel training cooperation, and deepen the emotional bond between the two peoples. Both sides should also strengthen multilateral cooperation to safeguard the common interests of the developing countries.

Xi Jinping stressed that President Maduro paying a special trip to attend the opening ceremony of the first ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in China reflects the importance Venezuela attaches to the development of the China-CELAC comprehensive cooperative partnership. The conduction of overall cooperation between China and the CELAC conforms to the trend of cross-regional cooperation. The two sides should strive for the success of this meeting, making the bilateral overall cooperation and the bilateral cooperation between China and the member states of the CELAC promote each other, so as to promote the China-CELAC comprehensive cooperative partnership for development at a higher level.

Maduro said that China is a close friend of Venezuela. The bilateral cooperation established on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity as well as common development has been constantly strengthened, which has provided Venezuela with greater courage and capacity to withstand the tests in the new year. Venezuela is now working on the economic recovery plan as well as the long-term development plan, will expand financing in the international arena and increase investment in the production field, and hopes to work with China to jointly make good planning for cooperation in the next stage, exploring cooperation in such fields as industry, energy, science and technology and financing. Venezuela will keep strengthening coordination and cooperation with China in international affairs.

Maduro pointed out that the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum has shown the world huge potential of cooperation between the two sides, and the first ministerial meeting soon to be held will enhance China-Venezuela as well as China-CELAC cooperation. Venezuela will continue to make efforts for enhancement of China-CELAC cooperation.

The two sides also made in-depth exchanges of views on international issues of common concern, the world economic situation in particular.

Prior to the meeting, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Maduro at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Mme. Peng Liyuan, Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the ceremony.