Hu, Castro celebrate China-Cuba ties

Hu, Castro celebrate China-Cuba ties (NSI News Source Info) HAVANA - November 20, 2008: China’s President Hu Jintao met Cuban leader Fidel Castro — who is also the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba — in Havana on Tuesday. Mr. Hu said he was delighted to see Mr. Castro again. The comrades of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China “have all cared about your health and I brought their sincere greetings to you,” he said.

Arm-in-arm: Chinese President Hu Jintao (left) with Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Havana on Tuesday

Mr. Castro extended a warm welcome to Mr. Hu for his second state visit to Cuba. “We are old friends. I am happy to see that you are as energetic as when I met you last time,” he said. Mr. Hu said as the founder of the Cuban Socialist revolution and construction, Mr. Castro is dearly adored by the Cuban people. During the past half century, Mr. Castro led the Cubans in their fearless struggle to safeguard state sovereignty and adhere to the path of socialism, thus winning respect from people worldwide, including the Chinese people, he added. Mr. Hu said Mr. Castro has followed closely China’s development, showed great concern about people’s life and dedicated himself to profound reflections of major strategic issues, such as international affairs and national development. On Sino-Cuban relations, Mr. Hu said ties had withstood the changes of international situation thanks to the joint efforts to forge and nurture their bilateral ties by generations of Chinese leaders, including Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin, and Mr. Castro and other Cuban leaders. “The brotherly friendship between our two countries and two parties has been deeply rooted in the hearts of our two peoples,” he said. “The Chinese people will never forget that thanks to your concern and effort that Cuba became the first Latin American nation to forge diplomatic ties with China 48 years ago,” said Mr. Hu. “Thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, the Sino-Cuban mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation in all areas have been expanding continuously, and bilateral ties have entered a new era of all-round development. Our two nations, parties and peoples have become reliable friends and brothers who share weal and woe. What affected me and other Chinese leaders most is that you always pay close attention to China’s development and remain committed to promoting friendly cooperation between our two countries,” said Mr. Hu. Moreover, in his article entitled “China’s Victory,” Mr. Castro showed his firm support for China on such major issues as Taiwan, Tibet and the Olympic Games in Beijing, said Mr. Hu. Mr. Castro expressed appreciation of China’s relief and reconstruction efforts following the Sichuan earthquake and other natural disasters. He once again congratulated China on its successful hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympics as well as the success of the Shenzhou-7 manned space mission. Mr. Hu said the Chinese government would always adhere to the principle of long-term friendship between China and Cuba. China will continue to provide assistance for Cuba within its capacity, and will firmly support the country’s socialist cause, he added. “We will work with the Cuban people to continuously push forward the development of friendship between China and Cuba,” he said. Mr. Hu flew in on Monday for a state visit to Cuba after concluding a state visit to Costa Rica.