Cuba, China to strengthen economic, trade ties

HAVANA- Top officials from Cuba and China reaffirmed here Wednesday their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic and trade ties.

At the 25th Session of the China-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission, Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming stressed the importance of developing and improving bilateral cooperation and promoting business ties between the two sides as some European countries are struggling with their debt crises.

Chen said that during the meeting co-chaired by him and Ricardo Cabrisas, vice president of Cuba's Council of Ministers, the two sides "discussed and reached broad consensus on issues of mutual concern".

He believed the meeting "will perfect bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit and deepen our economic and trade relations".

Chen added that the Sino-Cuban ties and friendship are at their best time in history.

For his part, Cabrisas said the year 2012 has seen significant advances in bilateral ties especially in the field of economy and trade. Cuban leader Raul Castro visited China in July, during which the two countries signed several important agreements on health care, computer technology, banking, agriculture and trade tariffs.

He also praised the efforts made by related government agencies of both countries to formulate a basic strategy for consolidating and developing bilateral ties in the medium and long term.