Xi visits Chavez mausoleum

President Xi Jinping visited Hugo Chavez's mausoleum on Monday and described the late Venezuelan president as a "great friend of the Chinese people".

Chavez was "a charismatic leader" and "a good friend of mine," Xi said.

He recalled that Chavez was fond of Chinese culture, had a deep understanding of the Communist Party of China's history and governance philosophy, and made outstanding contributions to China-Venezuela ties.