Las relaciones Venezuela-China (1974-1999):

Los senderos de la normalización [Venezuela–China Relations (1974–1999): The Paths of Normalization] 

委内瑞拉与中国的关系 (1974-1999):

规范化路径

Volume II

Norbert Molina-Medina

It is common to hear that at the turn of the millennium, China appeared out of nowhere on the Venezuelan and Latin American stages, quickly becoming a leading presence in both. What goes unmentioned is that this would hardly have been possible without prior mutual efforts to bring the two sides closer together, without building the very foundations that enabled the dramatic takeoff of the 2000s. By focusing on this pioneering period, Professor Molina significantly expands our understanding of the evolution of relations with China, providing much-needed context.

This second volume presented by Molina Medina consists of five chapters. The first chapter focuses on the normalization process of Venezuela–China relations starting from June 28, 1974. In the second chapter, the book addresses the alliance Venezuela formed alongside the People's Republic of China and the United States to counter the actions of Cuba and the Soviet Union in the Salvadoran conflict. The third chapter assesses the scope of the high-level political dialogue maintained between Venezuela and China during the period under study. The fourth chapter offers a brief evaluation of trade, highlighting first the 1985 Trade Agreement and its Additional Protocol signed in 1992. It also highlights the three meetings of the Venezuela–China Joint Commercial Commission—the first two held in Caracas in 1987 and 1992, respectively, and the third in Beijing in 1998. Additionally, it details the various initiatives undertaken to boost trade and reverse a trade balance that was unfavorable to Venezuela. The fifth and final chapter provides a concise review of the main achievements made in cultural exchange.

In conclusion, by focusing his attention on this pioneering period of binational relations between Venezuela and the People's Republic of China, Professor Molina fills a major gap and allows us to gain a much better understanding of what was yet to come.