On the afternoon of September 24, 2016 local time, Premier Li Keqiang held talks at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana with President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz of Cuba.
Li Keqiang firstly conveyed President Xi Jinping's warm greetings to President Raul Castro Ruz. Li Keqiang expressed that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba 56 years ago, bilateral relationship has constantly achieved new progress. China will never change its friendly policies towards Cuba, the determination of supporting Cuba to follow a socialist path and the direction of promoting bilateral practical cooperation. Under the new situation, China is willing to, together with Cuba, intensify high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation and enhance communication and coordination in international affairs, so as to continuously push forward China-Cuba relations.
Li Keqiang pointed out that both China and Cuba are currently facing urgent tasks of developing the economy and improving the livelihood of the people. China is willing to focus on development and cooperation with the Cuban side, support Cuba's industrialization process and carry out cooperation in construction planning in areas including infrastructure and the industrial equipment manufacturing industry, expand trade contacts and investment and financing cooperation, share development experience, conduct intelligence cooperation, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen the training of youth talents with Cuba, so as to pass down China-Cuba friendship from generation to generation through development.
Raul Castro Ruz noted that Cuba warmly welcomes Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the country, which is of great historic significance. Cuba agrees with China's suggestions on advancing bilateral relations and cooperation and is willing to learn from China's development experience, conduct closer high-level exchanges, step up practical cooperation and expand education communication with China. While earnestly bringing benefits to the two peoples, the two countries should also reinforce communication and cooperation in international affairs, so as to safeguard the common interests of developing countries.
Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.
After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in areas including economy, technology, finance, production capacity cooperation, information communication, environment protection, and inspection and quarantine.
Before the talks, Raul Castro Ruz held a grand welcoming ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution for Li Keqiang. Raul Castro Ruz greeted Li Keqiang at the ceremony hall when he arrived. Honorary guards, lining up on both sides of the red carpet, saluted to Premier Li Keqiang with their eyes. The military band played the national anthems of both countries. Accompanied by Raul Castro Ruz, Li Keqiang reviewed the guard of honor afterwards.
On the afternoon, accompanied by First Vice-president of the Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba, Li Keqiang laid a wreath at the monument of José Julián Martí Pérez, who was a national hero and revolutionary pioneer of Cuba.
