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During the past decade, relations between China and Venezuela have grown from diplomatic formality to a close economic and political bond.

Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Simon Bolivar Airport in Caracas on the third leg of a Latin American tour aimed at bolstering¹ trade and energy deals.

Before heading to the Miraflores Palace for their first meeting, both leaders stopped by the National Pantheon to pay their respects at the tomb of South American liberator² Simon Bolivar.

Earlier this month, Venezuela and China celebrated³ 40 years of diplomatic relations, but it’s only been in the past 15 years --under the late President

Hugo Chavez-- the two countries have become strategic partners. Officials want to build on that and increase oil exports, investment in infrastructure⁴ and trade.

"Today, that change of fifteen years ago, wrought⁵ by Commander Chavez Hugo Chavez, Venezuela Former President, wrought by our two homelands, Chinese and Venezuelan homelands, we have decided⁶ raise relationship between two countries to a higher level," Maduro said.

Maduro’s Chinese counterpart highlighted the importance of developing their strategic relationship.

"The Chinese side has full confidence about the prospect⁷ of our bilateral⁸ ties. We are we willing to make joint⁹ efforts with Venezuela, that we may always be friends, worthy¹⁰ of trust and mutual¹¹ cooperation partners, excellent but beneficial to drive our relationships to constantly rise to new levels, Many thanks," Xi said.

Earlier, President Xi met with members of Venezuela’s National Assembly and visited Hugo Chavez’s tomb.