Castro arrives in Beijing on state visit

Cuban leader Raul Castro arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning for his state visit to China. Analysts said Cuba expects to find more business opportunities and learn from China's experience of development.

The 81-year-old president of Cuba's Council of State and Council of Ministers will meet President Hu Jintao on Thursday and exchange views with Chinese leaders on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern. He will sign documents on bilateral cooperation during his visit, which lasts until Saturday.

Castro is being accompanied by top government officials, including Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, deputy president of the Council of Ministers, and Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, minister of foreign affairs, according to the Cuban Granma newspaper.