On December 22, 2017, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza of Venezuela, who was in China for an official visit.

Wang Yi expressed that China attaches great importance to developing China-Venezuela relations, and is willing to, together with Venezuela, strengthen exchanges in various fields and at all levels, support each other on issues concerning respective core interests and major concerns, and steadily expand practical cooperation based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results, so as to benefit the two peoples and regional development.

Wang Yi noted that Latin America is the natural extension of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and many countries in Latin America express their willingness to participate in the international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, which China welcomes. China stands ready to, within the "Belt and Road" framework and in accordance with the principle of extensive consultation, joint construction and shared benefits, strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Venezuela and various countries in Latin America, explore potential for cooperation, and expand cooperation space, in a bid to achieve common development.

Wang Yi pointed out that stability and development in Venezuela not only conform to the interests of the Venezuelan people, but serve the common aspiration of the international community including China. The Chinese side wishes that Venezuela could maintain a stable momentum in its domestic situation, and encourages the settlement of existing problems through dialogue and consultation within the legal framework. Wang Yi said that the right to choose development paths that suit all countries' national conditions deserves to be respected.

Jorge Arreaza expressed that the Venezuelan side warmly congratulates on the successful holding of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, highly recognizes China's philosophy on state governance and diplomacy, and appreciates China' adherence to an objective and justice stance in international affairs. China is a prior direction of Venezuela's diplomatic diversification. The Venezuelan side will co-build the "Belt and Road" with all parties in an active manner, and expects that Venezuela-China practical cooperation could yield more outcomes.

Jorge Arreaza expressed that it is the consensus of all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to comprehensively develop their relations with China. Venezuela stands ready to, together with all countries in Latin America, actively participate in the second ministerial meeting of the Forum between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, so as to push Latin America-China relations for in-depth development.

Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, reaching extensive consensus.