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1st LD: Chinese premier arrives in Cuba for official visit

Xinhua, September 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Havana Saturday for an official visit to Cuba.

Li's trip to Havana is the first official visit to the Caribbean country by a Chinese premier since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago.

Li, accompanied by his wife Cheng Hong and senior Chinese officials, is in Havana as guest of President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz.

During the visit, he will meet Raul Castro over strengthening China-Cuba cooperation and friendship, and preside over the signing of cooperation agreements in the fields of technology, renewable energy, industry and environmental protection.

Rafael Hernandez, a professor of international relations at the University of Havana, said Li's visit represents a "perfect opportunity" to upgrade economic and political ties between the two countries.

China is Cuba's second largest trade partner, with sugar, tourism and biomedical research playing a key role in the island nation's economy.

Cuba, the first country in Latin America to establish diplomatic ties with China, is the last stop of Li's America tour, following his attendance in the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York and an official visit to Canada. Endi