Wang Yi Speaks with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia on the Phone

On September 27, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

Wang Yi said, China-Venezuela comprehensive strategic partnership has stood the test of the changing international landscape and maintained a strong momentum of development. The two sides have always understood and trusted each other. China appreciates Venezuela for supporting China in safeguarding its legitimate interests and opposes the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela. China always believes that the Venezuela issue should be resolved by the Venezuelan people through dialogue within the framework of its own constitution and laws. China will continue to firmly support Venezuela in safeguarding its sovereignty and national dignity as well as its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. China believes that the Venezuelan people will eventually win the battle against interference, sanctions and hegemony. China will continue to advance pragmatic cooperation with Venezuela in all areas based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and common development, and will continue to provide support for Venezuela to prevail over the pandemic. China is ready to work with Venezuela to cope with the changes rarely seen in a century, enhance solidarity and cooperation, safeguard international equity and justice, and lift China-Venezuela comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.

Wang Yi said, China-CELAC cooperation has maintained sound and stable development. China attaches great importance to the cooperation with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). China will earnestly follow through on the spirit of President Xi Jinping's important speech at the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the CELAC, continue to maintain close communication and coordination with Latin American and Caribbean countries in vaccine cooperation, economic and livelihood recovery and other fields, and give full play of the China-CELAC Forum, to inject new impetus into deepening and substantiating China-CELAC cooperation in the whole and work together to build a China-CELAC community with a shared future.

Wang Yi said, in response to changes rarely seen in a century, the impact of the pandemic and the slow recovery of the world economy, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Development Initiative, calling on the international community to attach importance to development and inject new impetus into the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The proposal of this important initiative is just in time and meets the common aspiration of developing countries. China welcomes the active participation of all parties to help forge global consensus.

Plasencia warmly congratulated the Communist Party of China on its brilliant achievements in the past 100 years since its founding. He said that Venezuela firmly supports China in safeguarding sovereignty and opposing external interference, and Venezuela is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China to uphold justice on the international stage. Venezuela appreciates China for its strong support for the country's fight against COVID-19, and is willing to take an active part in the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative and work with China to promote the long-term development of Venezuela-China relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples. Venezuela fully supports the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and appreciates President Xi Jinping for his special address to the CELAC Summit. Venezuela is ready to work with China and other Latin American countries to ensure the success of the third Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and further advance cooperation between CELAC and China.