Xi Jinping Elevates China-Venezuela Relations To All-Weather Strategic Partnership

President Xi Jinping of China has officially announced the "upgrading of China-Venezuela relations" during a meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The announcement, captured in a video released by state media CCTV, marks a significant shift in the bilateral relationship between the two nations. "I am very happy to announce with you the upgrading of China-Venezuela relations to an all-weather strategic partnership," President Xi declared in the CCTV video. The meeting between the two leaders took place in Beijing, as reported by Xinhua news agency. Following their discussions, President Xi and President Maduro were scheduled to hold a ceremony at the prestigious Great Hall of the People, further underscoring the importance of the diplomatic development. President Maduro's visit to China, which began with stops in Shanghai and other Chinese cities, demonstrates the renewed commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries. This visit represents President Maduro's first state visit to China since 2018. One of the notable objectives of President Maduro's visit is to secure Venezuela's membership in BRICS, a group of emerging economies. China, as Venezuela's primary creditor, maintains close relations with the nation, which has faced diplomatic isolation and economic challenges in recent years. During the 2010s, China extended approximately $50 billion in loans to Venezuela, with Caracas repaying the debt through oil shipments. Venezuela possesses one of the world's largest oil reserves. As of 2018, it still owed $20 billion to Beijing. Beyond financial support, China has provided significant technological assistance to Venezuela, aiding its efforts to manage and control its population, as noted by the Washington-based think tank Atlantic Council. President Maduro characterized his visit to China as "historic" and emphasized its purpose as "strengthening cooperation and the construction of a new world order." This announcement signals a deepening of diplomatic and economic collaboration between China and Venezuela, with potential implications for the broader geopolitical landscape.