China and Cuba build a community with a shared future

Havana, Oct 1- China and Cuba are today building a community with a shared future for the benefit of both nations on solid relations whose development prospects are bright, Ambassador Hua Xin stated here.

“The most essential thing about the Sino-Cuban ties is that they do not depend on temporary circumstances, of few interests, but rather they represent a common vision of a beneficial future for the two peoples, extended to the world,” described the Head of Mission at a conference of press.

Based on this concept, he added, these countries promote a relationship of high complementarities in fields in which they have development.

Cuba was the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish official ties with Beijing on September 2, 1960, and since then they have cultivated strong ties with fruitful results.

The diplomat illustrated that the island currently faces tough challenges in the energy and agriculture sectors; and in these fields China has strengths, “that is why we are going to extend our helping hand,” said Hua Xin.

Cuba, for example, has convening power and influence in the regional framework among the countries of the Caribbean, Latin America and the Global South in general, and in international forums it always defends just causes and speaks in favor of China.

He clarified, however, that “it is not an exchange of interests, but rather the links are based on the same understanding and vision of the world. This is truly the most valuable thing in the community of shared future between our nations,” stressed the Head of Mission.

He explained that there is close collaboration and that both governments are determined to raise it to a higher level in various areas.

Hua Xin shared that he always uses a phrase: “Helping Cuba is helping China” and vice versa.

The researcher and professor Ruvislei González noted in an essay that the ties between these countries have a special value, since Chinese blood runs through the veins of many Cubans.

Just this year, 2024 - he added - the arrival of the first migrants from that Asian nation is commemorated, and their contribution to the important cause of the fight for independence against Spanish colonialism is remembered. This leads to a better understanding of the Cuban identity, explained the specialist.

The specialist from the International Policy Research Center recalled that before making their ties official, both governments signed two agreements in July 1960 that opened the way to a new direction, one on cultural cooperation and the other on scientific-technical cooperation.

Since then, Beijing and Havana have sealed 200 agreements and organized multiple meetings and sessions at the highest level.

Ambassador Huan Xin recalled that in recent days he met with President Miguel Díaz-Canel and they talked about the future development of bilateral ties that are well supported.

Beijing recognizes - he noted - that Cuba was the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish official ties with Beijing, and thanks it for defending the one-China principle and rejecting interference in Chinese internal affairs.

In addition, he pointed out that both peoples cultivate a deep friendship, while predicting a greater influx of Chinese tourists thanks to the resumption of Beijing-Havana flights through Madrid and the decision of the Cuban Foreign Ministry to facilitate visas.

“The beautiful landscape, the hospitality of the people, the music, the rum and tobacco with their special Cuban aroma will leave a deep and pleasant impression,” the ambassador anticipated. (Text and Photo: PL)