July 5 this year is the 213th anniversary of the independence of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Located in the northern part of South America, Venezuela is one of the world’s leading oil producers and exporters.

It abounds in underground resources like oil, natural gas and diamond and, therefore, it had long been a target of aggression and plunder by the imperialists.

The Venezuelans gained independence in July 1811 through the struggle to win back the sovereignty of their country and liberated all parts of it ten years later by driving out aggressor troops. In 1830, they proclaimed the founding of the Republic of Venezuela.

In December 1999, they adopted a new constitution and renamed their country Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Since then, the Venezuelan people have been able to wage a vigorous struggle to defend their national independence and sovereignty and achieve the political stability of their country.

The imperialists have extended the range of sanctions against Venezuela advancing along the road of independence against imperialism to the field of national defence and security beyond such economic fields as oil, finance and trade.

But it staunchly defends its sovereignty and strives to achieve socio-economic development, taking resolute countermeasures against their policy of hostility.

The Venezuelan vice-president appealed for achieving economic independence to cope with the sanctions moves of the US in his speech made last April on the occasion of the 214th anniversary of the start of the struggle for national independence. Saying that the US’ unilateral and oppressive moves rather strengthen the Venezuelans’ will to unite and establish a new multilateral economic system, he affirmed that they would fight against its vulgar and immoral blockades by achieving economic independence.

Venezuela has developed the economy in a many-sided way, departing from the past mode of relying on crude oil alone, and taken positive measures for social progress and development. While increasing state investment in agricultural development, it is working to develop tourism.

As the Venezuelan president mentioned in late December last year, the country has set it as a task facing this year to further improve the living standards of people by consolidating national sovereignty and economic independence.

The country has also put big efforts into bolstering up cooperation with the regional countries, while consistently holding fast to the principle of peace and independence.

Efforts of the Venezuelan government and people aspiring after independent development have produced good results.