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Xi Jinping and Raúl tour the heroic
city of Santiago de Cuba
After the visit, the Cuban
President bid his Chinese counterpart farewell at
Antonio Maceo International Airport
Leticia Martínez
Hernández Foto: Estudio Revolución
SANTIAGO DE CUBA.— Precisely at noon, Wednesday July
23, Xi Jinping and Raúl Castro arrived in Santiago
de Cuba for the last day of the Chinese leader’s
official visit, following a successful Latin
American tour which also included Brazil, Argentina
and Venezuela.
They
were greeted by Lázaro Expósito, first secretary of
the Communist Party of Cuba in the province, along
with Reinaldo García, president of the local
government. In response to their welcome, Xi Jinping
said, “It is a pleasure to come to this beautiful
land.”
The
tour began with a visit to the city’s Santa Ifigenia
Cemetery, where the two leaders paid tribute to José
Martí and continued on to the Moncada Garrison,
converted into an educational complex after the
triumph of the Revolution. Here, Raúl shared with Xi
Jinping anecdotes of the revolutionary struggle
which he described as “unforgettable memories.”
They
later visited the headquarters of the Municipal
Assembly of People’s Power, in the former city hall,
where on January 1, 1959, Fidel proclaimed the
revolutionary victory, on the very balcony where the
two leaders took in the view of Céspedes Park.
Raúl
spoke informally to the crowd of residents gathered,
referring to the upcoming 500th anniversary of the
city, “What do you think about celebrating here next
year, at the same time we assaulted the Moncada?” He
was answered with applause.
Escorted by the people, Raúl and Xi Jinping then
strolled through the park. Before departing, Raúl
again addressed the crowd, saying, “The 26th here!
The 500th here! And after I die, bring me here, to
Mayarí, with Vilma!”
At 8:53 pm, the President of Cuba’s Councils of
State and Ministers bid Xi Jinping farewell,
concluding a visit described as historic by both
nations.
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