Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sunday and the two exchanged views on bilateral ties, world peace, regional hotspot issues, food security and a wide range of other issues of common concern.[Special coverage]
Li first conveyed the cordial greetings and good wishes of President Xi Jinping, other Chinese leaders and the Chinese people to Castro and extended congratulations to Castro for his 90th birthday.
President Xi, during his state visit to Cuba in 2014, met and held an in-depth discussion with Castro, said Li.
We cherish very much the traditional friendship between China and Cuba, and are willing to consolidate political mutual trust and expand cooperation with Cuba, and to enhance the friendly feelings between the two peoples, the premier said.
While noting that the world's political and economic landscape is currently experiencing complicated and profound adjustment, with old and new issues intertwined with each other and challenges emerging one after another, Li said, no matter how the international situations change, the China-Cuban relationship of comrade plus brother, featuring mutual respect, treating each other on an equal footing and pulling together, will not change.
Castro, for his part, extended congratulations to Li for his successful visit to Cuba, and said Cuba and China enjoy a profound friendship.
While noting that great changes have taken place in China since the two countries established diplomatic relations over 50 years ago, Castro said he is pleased to see the development China has achieved, and expressed admiration to the Chinese people for their diligence and unyielding spirit.
Describing the current world situation as complex and ever changing, Castro said Cuba is willing to safeguard world peace and increase cooperation and communication with China.
The Chinese premier, accompanied by his wife Cheng Hong and senior Chinese officials, was in Havana as guest of President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro.
Li's trip to Havana is the first official visit to the Caribbean country by a Chinese premier since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago.
