Wang Zhen, former ambassador to Venezuela, recounts to The Beijing News how Mr Chavez said he would always "be a friend of the Chinese" in a phone call before being detained temporarily during a coup attempt in 2002.

BBC: China media: Death of Chavez

There he became a patron and friend of Li Shan, today a leading Chinese painter with an international following.

FORBES: My Beijing

President Chavez, who visited China six times, is remembered in Beijing as "strong and vibrant", and a "good friend" of the Chinese, China Daily says.

BBC: China media: Death of Chavez

Kids who have the allergy need to be taught to be especially aware of the dangers of Chinese food, candy bars or a friend's home- baked cookies.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

"I love the Internet, " says Casey Lau, a 26-year-old Chinese Canadian who with friend John Wong, 30, co-founded ActionAce.

CNN: THE E-TAIL REVOLUTION

Sheng Shiliang, from China's Xinhua news agency, told the paper that "it is vitally important for us, the Chinese, to be sure that we have a reliable friend, Russia, behind our back".

BBC: China confirms leadership change

"Chavez was an old friend of the Chinese people" who was "demonised" by the West, a bilingual Global Times editorial says.

BBC: China media: Death of Chavez