Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday met with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil Pinto in New York, calling for consolidating and developing the all-weather friendship between the two countries.

Noting that China and Venezuela are good friends and partners, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China will, as always, support Venezuela in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity and assist Venezuela's economic and social development.

Recalling Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's state visit to China last September, Wang said the two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to an all-weather strategic partnership, which marks a milestone in the history of China-Venezuela relations and heralds a broader prospect for bilateral relations.

He called on both sides to continue to uphold mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns and translate the important consensus reached by the two heads of state into practical actions that will continue to promote bilateral ties.

Gil said Venezuela is China's most reliable and staunch strategic partner.

He called for promoting continuous greater development of Venezuela-China relations to better benefit the two peoples.