Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez may add a stop in China to a trip this week that will take him to Iran and Japan, local media reported, citing unnamed sources linked to the president.

Chavez was scheduled to visit Iran April 3 after attending a summit of South American and Arab leaders in Qatar. He was to arrive in Japan April 5.

Venezuelan media said he may also make a brief visit to China where he would be received by President Hu Jintao. Venezuela and China have close relations in a variety of fields from energy to finance and industry.

Last year, Venezuela launched its first geostationary satellite thanks to cooperation with China.

Caracas recently purchased a fleet of 18 K-8 reconnaissance and training aircraft from Beijing with delivery expected in January 2010.

Chavez last visited China in September 2008.

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