On May 24, 2001, President Jiang Zemin held talks with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias at the Great Hall of the People, during which they exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of mutual concern.

Extending warm welcome to Chavez on his second state visit to China, Jiang recalled that during his visit to Venezuela not long ago, the two countries signed eight agreements of cooperation covering political, economic and trade and science and technological areas. He said that the two sides reached consensus on the development of bilateral relations and defined the two countries' strategic partnership for common development in the new century, adding that the two sides will sign more agreements. He went on to say that the two countries will set up a high-level mixed committee, which will soon hold its first meeting to explore the overall development of bilateral relations. He emphasized that China holds a positive attitude towards formulating a ten-year plan of cooperation between the two countries and the relevant departments are studying the two countries' cooperation in agriculture and energy.

Jiang said that he is happy to see the active follow-up actions in only more than a month by both sides, which demonstrates their strong desire to strengthen their friendly cooperation.  

Jiang said that bilateral trade and economic cooperation have been progressing well, adding that bilateral trade reached 351 million U.S. dollars last year, up 86 percent over the previous year and a new historical high. He noted that bilateral economic cooperation continues to expand and Venezuela has become the biggest target country of Chinese investment in the Latin-America region. He emphasized that the Chinese government attaches importance to its economic and trade relations with Venezuela and is willing to conduct multi-channel cooperation in various forms with Venezuela on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.  

On the international situation, Jiang said that the process of multi-polarization will be a tortuous and long one, but it is an irreversible historical trend. He noted that while globalization has promoted world economic development, it has also further widened the gap between the rich and the poor worldwide, adding that the international community now faces the issue of how to narrow the gap and realize balanced development. He said that China, Venezuela and other developing countries are faced with the common task of peace and development. He said that it is important for the Chinese and Venezuelan people to carry out cooperation in the economic and trade, science and technological areas in a down-to-earth and step by step manner.
 
Expressing pleasure of visiting China again after the lapse of one and a half year, Chavez said Jiang's visit to his country in April was a success, which shows both countries attach great importance to bilateral friendly relations and cooperation. He added that the agreements signed between the two sides also show their relations are being strengthened.

The two heads of states also had an in-depth exchange of views on cooperation in economy and trade, agricultural, energy, science and technology, among others.