Xi hails friendship with Castro

Deals signed for port building, mineral trade

Giving Fidel Castro a bronze bust of the Cuban leader as a young man, President Xi Jinping wished the revolutionary leader a happy birthday and said he felt glad to see him in good health.

Calling Castro an old friend and respected leader, Xi spoke highly of his contribution to China-Cuba ties as the two leaders met on Tuesday in Havana, Cuba, the last stop on Xi's four-nation Latin American trip.