China and Venezuela have agreed to elevate their ties to an "all-weather strategic partnership" in their summit meeting in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro met at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday.
China's foreign ministry quoted Xi as saying "China and Venezuela are good friends who trust each other and are good partners for common development."
Maduro reportedly said, "The establishment of an all-weather strategic partnership is of historic significance and will surely usher in a new era of bilateral relations."
Experts believe that China aims to keep the United States in check by strengthening its relationship with the South American country. The US has imposed sanctions against the Maduro administration, which is supported by China and Russia.