Xi Jinping: The friendship between Cuba and China is ironclad

Photos via Alejandro Azcuy

By Leticia Martínez Hernández, translated from the Spanish

MOSCOW, Russian Federation – “The friendship between Cuba and China is ironclad,” said President Xi Jinping on Friday, as he met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez in the Russian capital, shortly after the conclusion of the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism in the Great Patriotic War.

After sending "greetings and best wishes to Raúl," the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China stated that the ties between the two countries were at a new, more solid stage, as this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

He spoke of a true community with a shared future, sincere and supportive of each other. The Chinese president referred to the close communication between the two countries, the important consensus reached, and the frequent visits made by members of the Political Bureau of both political parties to both China and Cuba.

He called for further deepening of ties, with exchanges being the defining characteristic.

Regarding the current situation in Cuba , he said the intensified blockade poses greater challenges than before, noting that "we're feeling it firsthand."

For this reason, he spoke of continuing cooperation in key areas such as food sovereignty, energy, and cybersecurity. He stated that he will continue to promote this assistance to overcome these difficulties.

He referred to Cubans as "dear comrades" and affirmed that, under the leadership of the Communist Party, they will continue to move forward and overcome their current problems.

For his part, Díaz-Canel acknowledged Xi Jinping's enormous sensitivity, understanding, and personal commitment to the island's problems. China and Cuba, he added, are a true example of comradeship and cooperation.

The Cuban head of state explained several lines of action outlined in the economic program between the two countries, including food sovereignty, the stability of the National Electric System -- particularly investment in solar photovoltaic parks -- telecommunications, and cybersecurity.

He also referred to the development of Chinese tourism on the island, cultural exchanges, and higher education.

All of this, he later noted, is an expression of a sure path toward a community with a shared future. Díaz-Canel elaborated on "the special nature of relations between Cuba and China."

The meeting between the two leaders follows the Cuban president's visit to China in 2022 and the two held in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2023, within the framework of the BRICS Summit.

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