World Affairs
President Hugo Chávez on Thursday said it was "essential" to build a platform of alliances among China, Latin America and the Caribbean.

"I think that the idea of a 'Latin America-China Forum' is good and positive, but I do not know the details," said Chávez. The Venezuelan ruler made reference to the fact that Costa Rican and Uruguayan presidents, Oscar Arias and Tabaré Vázquez, respectively, advocated talks with China within a framework similar to the talks between Beijing and Washington or the European Union.

"While I think the Forum could be a useful tool, we have to go farther. I believe it is essential to build a platform of alliances among China, Latin America and the Caribbean, similar to those being built with Arab and African countries," Chávez told reporters.