Beijing, China.- Chinese President Xi Jinping met this friday with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, with whom he held official talks and to whom he ratified his country”s interest in strengthening ties.

Xi gave a formal welcome to the visitor with high honors at the Great Hall of the People and they met later to discuss bilateral cooperation, as the two countries recently signed agreement to boost relations.

During the meeting, the two presidents expressed their will to foster the comprehensive strategic association between their countries, and witnessed the signing of eight agreements in the fields of education and culture.

Before meeting with Xi, Maduro laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and in Tiananmen Square, he honored the Heroes of the People.

Maduro also met with Prime Minister Li Keqiang; the former speaker of the National People’s Assembly of China, Li Zhanshu, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with whom he closed the 16th Bilateral Joint Commission, which signed deals in such sectors as mining, cyber security, aerospace and satellite technology, robotics, telecommunications and the supply of surgical equipment and medicines.

The Venezuelan president arrived in Beijing on Friday at dawn to pay an official visit that will conclude on Sunday.

His agenda also includes meetings with think tanks, business people and leaders of the Development Bank of China today.