Chinese president meets Cuban leader on ties

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-19 15:52

HAVANA -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday met with Cuban leader Raul Castro and discussed efforts to further China-Cuba ties.

Hu hailed China-Cuba relations, which have been developing smoothly ever since Cuba established diplomatic ties with China in 1960, the first among Latin American nations.

"The recent years have witnessed new progress of their relations, which have entered a phase of all-around development," Hu said.

Friendly exchanges have been maintained between the leaders, congresses, governments, militaries and peoples of the two countries and their mutual political trust continues to deepen, Hu said.

In addition, Hu said trade between China and Cuba has increased rapidly and cooperation in investment, energy, agriculture, and bio-technology is also moving smoothly.

Noting the countries' growing number in exchanged students and the important progress in an ophthalmology cooperation project in China, Hu said breakthroughs have been observed in education and cultural cooperation between the two sides.

Praising the coordinated, fruitful cooperation between China and Cuba in dealing with international affairs, Hu said Havana and Beijing have worked together to safeguard the rights and interests of their nations and developing countries as a whole.

"It has been proved that Cuba and China are good friends, good comrades and good brothers," the president said.

Hu raised a four-point proposal to further bilateral ties.

To maintain high-level exchanges and enhance political ties so as to consolidate the political foundation of the relationship between the two countries.

To deepen cooperation in economy and trade and achieve a mutually- beneficial and win-win result. To build an economic and trade structure of mutual benefit and common prosperity based on a principle of mutual benefit, win-win and complementary advantages.

To expand friendly exchanges in culture, education, health, sports and tourism.

To increase coordination in multi-lateral frameworks to protect developing nations and push for a world of lasting peace and common prosperity.