The Venezuelan government on Friday congratulated the government and people of China on the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival.

"On behalf of the government and people of Venezuela, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro joins in the joyful celebration of the People's Republic of China," the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

The government also "underscored the excellent ties" between the two nations, forged by Venezuela's late president Hugo Chavez and carried on by Maduro.

The ministry recalled the message of Chinese President Xi Jinping during his Latin American tour in November 2016, urging countries around the world to strive together to build a partnership based on equality, consultation and mutual understanding.

"These principles are alive in our strategic partnership ... we will continue to build universally balanced ties on the road to a multipolar and multilateral world," the Venezuelan government said.

According to the Chinese zodiac, this year marks the Year of the Rooster, an animal "that has awoken humanity since its beginnings, with martial punctuality and song that announce a new day and a new start," the ministry said.

source: Xinhua