CARACAS, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela received on Thursday the third shipment of medical aid from China, with 64 tons of medicines and medical supplies, a Venezuelan official said.

At the Simon Bolivar International Airport, Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said that the aid is "fundamental and necessary for the national public health system."

He explained that once the medical assistance arrived at the warehouse, it would be distributed through the national hospital system.

"This will come immediately to its destination," he said.

He also said that, within the framework of the agreements with China, a fourth plane with medical assistance is scheduled to arrive in the next fifteen days.

The first batch of medical assistance from China, made up of 65 tons of medicines and medical supplies, arrived in Venezuela in March. The second shipment of 71 tons of medical aid from China were received by Venezuela on Monday.