Cuban Vice-President stresses historic relations between China and Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 2 (acn) Cuban first vice-president Miguel Diaz Canel said in Beijing that relations between Cuba and China are historical and on that basis they develop supported by the political will of the leaders of the two nations in all stages of the revolutionary processes that take place in both countries.

Diaz-Canel made his statements after a tour of the Museum of the Chinese People´s Resistance Struggle against the Japanese Agression, just few hours after his arrival in China on Wednesday heading a delegation to commemorations for the 70th anniversary of China´s victory over fascism at World War II.

The top Cuban government official was also received by Chinese vice-president Li Yuanchao.

In his statements, Diaz-Canel recalled that Cuba was the first Latin American country to recognize the People´s Republic of China and to establish relations with that state.

"We are precisely marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of those links and it was Fidel Castro who, in a public rally at the (Havana´s) Revolution Square and while sharing with the people, announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with China; that is why the way in which those relations were established has this beauty," said Diaz-Canel.

For the Cuban official, Cuba-China relations have deepened over the past few years with the boost of bilateral links which, in his opinion, has a lot to do with the successful visit to Cuba last year by President Xi Jinping.

Following that visit, a very important working dynamics has unleashed which includes the intergovernmental commission. This initiative has identified a group of high-impact program for economic and social development for Cuba in the 2016-2020 period of time, he said.

China has become Cuba´s second major commercial partner, the second source of major Cuban imports and the second country where Cuba sends its own exports. Add to this that Beijing grants Havana credit lines and donations that also favor the development of main economic sectors.

Meanwhile, political relations between the two countries have reached a very high level along with economic, cultural, academic, scientific, sports and commercial links.