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Chinese President begins official
visit
• Chinese President Xi Jinping was
greeted upon his arrival in Havana by First Vice
President Miguel Díaz-Canel
In a written statement delivered to the press, Xi
Jinping expressed his conviction that the visit
would open a new stage in mutually beneficial
cooperation between the two countries, saying, “With
efforts made by the two parties, this visit will
serve the purpose of promoting friendship, deepening
mutual trust, expanding cooperation and advancing
development – opening a new stage in our friendly,
mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping was
greeted upon his arrival in Havana by
First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Photo:
Ricardo López Hevia
Saying that both China and Cuba are entering a
crucial stage in their respective development,
Jinping asserted that the time is now to undertake
comprehensive reform. He continued commenting that
Cuba is moving forward with the updating of its
economic model, thus creating a significant, new
opportunity to develop the relationship between the
two nations.
He recalled that in 1960, Cuba became the first
country in Latin America and the Caribbean to
establish diplomatic relations with China, ppening a
new era in the development of ties between China and
the region.
Over the course of 54 years, he said, “The bilateral
ties have stood the test of international
vicissitudes, and we have become good friends,
comrades and brothers, making positive contributions
in hopes of promoting unity and cooperation among
developing countries and protecting our common
interests.”
The Chinese President said that, responding to the
kind invitation made by President Raúl Castro,
making a state visit to Cuba was a great pleasure.
“Being again in Havana, three years since my
previous visit, gives me a great sensation of
familiarity and affection. I would like to express,
in the name of my government and the Chinese people,
our most cordial greetings and best wishes to the
sister Cuban people,” he concluded.
President Xi Jinping’s stop in Cuba is the last on
his second Latin American-Caribbean tour, which also
included state visits to Brazil, Argentina and
Venezuela.
During his visit, which will be featured in the next
issue of Granma International, Xi Jinping will hold
official talks with President Raúl Castro, and
participate in a variety of other activities.
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