China to continue supporting Venezuela’s economic, social development: FM

China remains committed to supporting Venezuela in safeguarding its national sovereignty and contributing to its economic and social development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil in New York City on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future.

The Chinese foreign minister extended President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and congratulations on his re-election.

Wang said he believes that under the leadership of President Maduro, the Venezuelan people will work in solidarity to overcome challenges and make new accomplishments in the cause of national development.

Noting that China and Venezuela are good friends and partners, he said no matter how the international landscape evolves, China will, as always, support Venezuela in safeguarding its national sovereignty and defending its national dignity and aid its economic and social development.

During President Maduro's state visit to China last September, the two presidents announced the elevation of the China-Venezuela relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership, marking a milestone in bilateral ties and heralding a broader development prospect for the relationship, Wang said.

The two sides should consolidate and develop well the all-weather friendship, continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and translate the important consensus reached between the two heads of state into concrete actions, he stressed.

Gil also conveyed President Maduro's sincere greetings to President Xi.

Following the elevation of bilateral relations to an all-weather strategic partnership in 2023, the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year, Gil said, stressing that the Venezuela-China relationship is now at its best in history.

As China's most reliable and firm strategic partner, Venezuela is committed to pursuing new and greater progress in bilateral relations to deliver more benefits to people of both countries, he said.

Naval and air units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command (STC) conducted combat readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Thursday.

Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China's territory. The STC says it has enhanced readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas since the beginning of April.

Such patrols serve as an effective countermeasure to prevent all sorts of rights-violation and provocative acts, said the STC, adding that their mission is to resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

A video released Thursday by the STC shows naval and air units coordinate to locate and track a target.