Foreign and Military Affairs

Cuban leader meets Chinese military official

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-17 12:28

HAVANA - Cuban leader Raul Castro met in Havana Thursday with Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Ma conveyed greetings and wishes from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to Castro.

Ma said the China-Cuba traditional friendship, forged by several generations of Chinese leaders, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Raul Castro, has grown increasingly stronger since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1960.

He also expressed his hope and confidence in more impressive achievements in Cuba's social and economic development.

Castro recalled his two previous visits to China, praising the great changes that have taken place in China.

He told Ma that Cuba is pushing for an adjustment of its economic model, which is of critical importance to the cause of Cuban socialism.

Ma arrived in Havana Monday for a goodwill visit at the invitation of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces Ministry.