China has officially elevated its diplomatic relations with Venezuela to an “all-weather” partnership, a designation reserved for a select group of its diplomatic allies.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embarked on a state visit to Beijing, marking his fifth such visit during his presidency. This visit included a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which the two leaders signed a series of bilateral agreements related to Belt and Road projects and cooperation in various sectors, including the economy, trade, and education.
Xi Jinping expressed China’s willingness to increase imports of Venezuelan products, although specific details of the cooperation were not provided in the official report by state broadcaster CCTV.
Additionally, Venezuela has become the first Latin American country to join China’s International Lunar Research Station, a long-term project aimed at studying the moon.
China’s “all-weather strategic partnerships” are highly significant and encompass countries like Pakistan, where China has invested a substantial $25.4 billion over the past decade.
Venezuela has experienced a complex political and humanitarian crisis over the past decade, resulting in the departure of around 7 million people from the country. The nation heavily relies on oil as its primary export but has faced sanctions from the United States. In 2020, the Biden administration eased some of these sanctions on Venezuela.
Throughout his presidency, Nicolás Maduro has cultivated a close relationship with China, receiving significant support in the form of loans, cash, and investments totaling tens of billions of dollars from the Chinese government. This partnership underscores China’s strategic interests in the region and its willingness to engage with Venezuela despite its ongoing challenges.
