Chavez to make state visit to China

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will make a state visit to China this month, the government said today, amid efforts to increase his country’s oil sales to energy-hungry Beijing.

Chavez will visit China on August 22-27, said a brief statement on the Chinese foreign ministry web site. It said Chavez was formally invited by Chinese President Hu Jintao but did not give details of his itinerary or planned meetings.