Xi Jinping approves new round of aid from the People's Republic of China to Cuba

Photos via Estudios Revolución

By René Tamayo León, translated from the Spanish

The President of the People's Republic of China and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping, approved a new round of aid to Cuba that includes emergency financial assistance valued at 80 million dollars for the acquisition of electrical equipment and other urgent needs that the country has, as well as a donation of 60,000 tons of rice.

The Chinese ambassador to Cuba, Hua Xin, reported this to Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and President of the Republic, during a meeting on Tuesday afternoon at the Palace of the Revolution.

The diplomat informed the Head of State that he received instructions from his government this morning to relay this information to the Cuban side.

Hua Xin mentioned the recent meetings between the authorities of the two countries, including discussions between Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, a member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Qiu Xiaoqi, China's special envoy for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs.

The Head of the diplomatic mission also discussed the meetings he held with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga; the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy; and comrade Carlos Miguel Pereira, director general of Bilateral Affairs of the Foreign Ministry. During these meetings, they addressed Cuba's economic situation and the current state of the national electrical energy system, which is affected by the blockade. He conveyed this information to his government.

Hua Xin spoke of the decision to alter the approach for implementing the 200 MW photovoltaic solar energy donation projects and the distribution of 5,000 solar panel kits for individual homes. It has been decided, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, to set up an executing company.

Upon welcoming the head of the diplomatic mission, Díaz-Canel Bermúdez conveyed heartfelt greetings at this new meeting and highlighted the vigorous efforts the Chinese ambassador is currently undertaking in Cuba. This includes Monday's ceremony for the initial portion of a rice donation previously approved by the People's Republic of China.

The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and the President of the Republic praised the status of bilateral relations and highlighted the advancement of Phase Four in the digital transformation program, which is being implemented with Chinese assistance. He also noted the achievements in the high-definition television project and other technological areas where progress has been made.

This work was translated shared via a License CC-BY-NC