China's Foreign Ministry official earlier said Chavez would meet with President Hu Jintao and other top officials to discuss an agenda dominated by energy cooperation. She also said the sides would sign documents on cooperation in justice, sports, quality supervision, and other fields.
China, a booming economy with huge energy needs, is Venezuela's second largest customer for oil after the United States. Chavez, an outspoken critic of U.S. foreign policy, has sought new markets to cut his country's reliance on the U.S.
Chavez's visit to Moscow comes at a time of increased military cooperation between Russia and Venezuela. Russian strategic bombers visited Venezuela earlier this month and made a six-hour patrol flight along the South American coast. The show of force close to U.S. borders was condemned by Washington as a "dangerous game."
On Monday, Russia also sent a naval task force on a tour of duty in the Atlantic, which includes joint naval drills with Venezuela in November.
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