Chinese premier meets Cuba's first vice president

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Cuban First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Wednesday, who is visiting for the Chinese commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

China always sticks to a policy of friendship with Cuba and firmly supports the island nation's adherence to a development path that conforms to its national condition, Li said.

He said China is willing to promote high-level exchanges with Cuba, expand pragmatic cooperation and strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, so as to boost the two countries' friendship and strategic cooperation.

Latin American and Caribbean nations are trying to speed up industrialization and diversify economic development, he said, adding that China has accumulated abundant industrial experience after rapid industrialization over the past several decades.

China-made equipment, which is cost-effective and environmentally-friendly, can meet the demands of developing nations, Li said.

China can dovetail its development strategy with Cuba and other Latin American countries at a higher level, conduct cooperation complementing each other's advantages, promote common development, and realize mutual benefit and win-win results, said the premier.

Diaz-Canel said Cuba attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to take the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to maintain high-level reciprocal visits and enhance exchanges and mutual-learning.

Cuba is also ready to turn its political friendliness with China into a driving force for mutually-beneficial cooperation and expand cooperation in such areas as manufacturing, clean energy, bio-pharmacy and tourism, he said, adding that his country welcomes Chinese enterprises' investment.

On major international issues, he said Cuba is willing to closely communicate and coordinate with China and safeguard common interests. Endi