Cuba, China see fruitful cooperation in future

Cuba, China see fruitful cooperation in future
www.chinaview.cn 2009-09-01 11:35:19
by Wang Yujue and Yin Yongjian

HAVANA, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral cooperation between China and
Cuba will have a prosperous and promising future, the Chinese ambassador
to Cuba said on Monday.

Relations and cooperation between the two countries have had fast
and smooth development in the past decades, Zhao Rongxian told Xinhua in
an interview.

Cuba was the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic
ties with China, and the two sides have been supporting each other on
politics and international affairs.

China supports Cuba's fight against U.S. embargo while Cuba
supports China's bid to defend its sovereignty and territorial
integrity, Zhao said.

In recent years, both sides have strengthened their exchange of
high-level visits.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Cuba in 2004 and 2008, during
which both countries signed important economic and commercial agreements.

On Tuesday, top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo will start a visit to
Cuba, aiming to boost the friendly ties between the two countries.

Wu's visit coincides with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez'
goodwill visit to China on Sept. 1-3.

This shows that China and Cuba attach great importance to bilateral
ties, Zhao said.

China and Cuba registered 800 million U.S. dollars in bilateral
trade in 2004, and the figure reached more than 2.2 billion in 2008.

As for non-governmental exchanges in such fields as culture,
education and sports, both countries aim to strengthen mutual
understanding between the two peoples, the ambassador said.

Currently, more than 100 Cubans study in Beijing, Tianjin and other
Chinese cities, while many Chinese students go to Cuba to study Spanish
and medicine.

There is a friendly atmosphere in the governmental and
non-governmental exchanges, which will contribute to the cooperation and
friendship between the two countries, Zhao said.

Cuba, China see fruitful cooperation in future_English_Xinhua (1
September 2009)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/01/content_11977107.htm