China, Cuba to further strengthen ties

A senior official of the Communist Party of China, He Guoqiang, has met with Cuban leader, Raul Castro, in Havana. The two sides expressed willingness to further consolidate bilateral ties.

He Guoqiang met Raul Castro, who is also second secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, on Monday. He said Sino-Cuban ties are now better than ever before.

He Guoqiang, head of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, says China and Cuba are good friends and have supported each other in building socialist societies.

He Guoqiang said Cuba's assistance to China after the devastating May 12th earthquake demonstrates the profound friendship between the two countries.

He Guoqiang said the CPC will continue to consolidate and further develop friendly bilateral relations. He also conveyed Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao's greetings to Raul Castro.

Raul Castro said Cuba appreciates China's support and assistance, and values learning from China's development experience. Castro said Cuba will continue to strengthen cooperation with China and promote development of bilateral ties.

After the meeting, He Guoqiang and Raul Castro attended a signing ceremony for a cooperative agreement between the two governments.

Cuba is the first leg of He Guoqiang's four-nation trip, which will also take him to Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Angola.