今年是中委建交40周年。建交以来，特别是2001年两国建立共同发展的战略伙伴关系以来，中委关系全面持续快速发展。两国高层往来密切，政治互信不断深化。两国能源、金融、基础设施建设、农业、高技术等领域务实合作成效显著。中委双边贸易额从建交初期的仅140万美元增至去年的192亿美元。中国已经成为委内瑞拉第二大贸易伙伴，委内瑞拉成为中国在拉美的第四大贸易伙伴、重要能源合作伙伴和工程承包市场。两国人文交流日益密切，夯实了两国友好的民意基础。马杜罗总统去年9月成功对中国进行国事访问，有力促进了中委关系进一步发展。近期双方围绕建交40周年，共同举办了一系列丰富多彩的活动，增进了两国人民相互了解和友谊。

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, especially the establishment of strategic partnership for common development in 2001, China-Venezuela relations have witnessed comprehensive, sustained and rapid growth. The two countries enjoy close high-level exchanges and ever-deepening political mutual trust. Our practical cooperation in energy, finance, infrastructure development, agriculture and hi-tech has been productive. Bilateral trade volume grew to US$19.2 billion last year from only US$1.4 million in the early days of diplomatic relations. China has become Venezuela’s second largest trading partner. Venezuela is China’s fourth largest trading partner in Latin America, an important partner for energy cooperation and a major market of contracted projects. The ever-closer people-to-people exchange has cemented popular support for the friendly relations between the two countries. Last September, President Maduropaid a successful state visit to China, giving a strong boost to China-Venezuela relations. Recently, the two sides have jointly organized a series of activities in celebration of the 40th anniversary, which have enhanced the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

目前，中委关系正处在承前启后、继往开来的重要阶段。中方高度重视发展中委关系，愿意同委方携手合作，以两国建交40周年为契机，提高双边关系水平，加强各领域互利合作，推动两国关系在新形势下得到更大发展。我期待着访问委内瑞拉，同马杜罗总统深入探讨两国全方位合作，共同规划双边关系美好未来，推动中委关系迈上新台阶，更好造福两国人民。

The relationship between China and Venezuela is at an important stage from which it will move to a new era based on past achievements. China highly values its relations with Venezuela and stands ready to work with Venezuela, taking the 40th anniversary as an opportunity, to upgrade bilateral relations, step up mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields and promote greater development of bilateral relations in the new era. I look forward to visiting Venezuela to have an in-depth exchange of views with President Maduro on all-dimensional cooperation between the two countries, draw plans for the future of bilateral relations, take our relations to a new level and bring more benefits to our two peoples.