My memories of a giant who always stood tall

I was thrilled in 2004 when I was given an assignment to cover President Hu Jintao's visit to Cuba. I had regretted never seeing Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the late revolutionary, in person. How exciting it would be, I thought, to meet his closest comrade and a giant of the 20th century.

A month before the visit, Fidel Castro, then 78, had injured his left knee, so I was surprised to see him on Nov 22 at a ceremony in the Palace of the Revolution, where he and Hu witnessed the signing of a raft of agreements between Beijing and Havana.

I stood just meters from Castro. He wore a dark suit and red tie, and was seated in an armchair, with his leg resting on a cloth cushion. He was tall and thin, and had gleaming, penetrating eyes. His signature long, black beard had turned a wispy gray.