Presidents of Cuba and China hold official talks

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 25 (ACN) The first secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban communist party and president of the country, Miguel Diaz-Canel, and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held official talks today at the Great Palace of the People.

During the meeting, Diaz-Canel recalled that the date coincided with the 6th anniversary of the physical loss of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, who highlighted Xi Jinping's capacity and firmness as a revolutionary leader, reported the Presidency on Twitter.

The Cuban leader thanked for the cordial invitation to make this official visit, the first by a head of state from Latin America and the Caribbean after the successful celebration of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China.

He positively appreciated the theoretical and practical contributions of the Asian dignitary at the head of the Central Committee of the Party in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which he considered a motivation for all progressive forces.

The Caribbean head of state referred to the difficult economic situation of his country due to the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States and the effects of the pandemic.

As part of the exchange, he conveyed to the Chinese leader the cordial greetings of his friend Army General Raul Castro.

For his part, Xi Jinping recalled that Cuba was the first country in the western hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with the new China.

Chinese-Cuban ties have become an exemplary case of solidarity and cooperation among socialist countries and sincere support among developing countries, the Asian head of state assured.

The Chinese president stated that his country is willing to continue working with the island to deepen political trust, broaden practical cooperation and support each other on issues of mutual interest.

He also spoke of strengthening coordination and cooperation in international affairs, with a view to advancing hand in hand on the path of socialist construction with its own characteristics and deepening unceasingly the Sino-Cuban relations of the new era.

Diaz-Canel and the high-level delegation accompanying him arrived Thursday in Beijing from Türkiye, as the last stop on his international tour of countries in Africa, Europe and Asia, which will conclude Saturday.