Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov 8.

China and Cuba enjoy a deep traditional friendship, with mutual trust and support, Premier Li said. Both countries firmly support each other on issues that concern their core interests, including development paths that are in line with their national conditions. China is ready to join hands with Cuba in promoting bilateral ties to a higher level, by carrying forward their traditional friendship, consolidating political mutual trust and deepening pragmatic cooperation.

China is willing to advance cooperation with Cuba in every field with an open mind and the win-win principle, especially in fields such as new energy, information communication and biological pharmacy, the Premier said. The Chinese government will support its enterprises to invest in Cuba. “We are expecting more imports from Cuba with unique advantages, and will promote in-depth knowledge sharing and exchange development experiences with Cuba,” he added.

For his part, Diaz-Canel said China is a good friend of the Cuban people and expressed his gratitude toward China’s long-term support for Cuba. Diaz-Canel said the purpose of his visit is to continue and consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries, promote high-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation in various fields. Cuba will proactively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and strive for shared prosperity and progress, he said.

He Lifeng, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also attended the meeting.