Premier Li arrives in Cuba for official visit

Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Havana, the capital of Cuba, on Sept 24 for an official visit at the invitation of Raul Castro Ruz, president of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers.

Chinese premier Li Keqiang is welcome by Miguel Diaz-Canel, first vice-president of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers in Havana, the capital of Cuba, Sept 24, 2016.  [Photo/Xinhua]

Miguel Diaz-Canel, first vice-president of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers, other senior Cuban officials and Zhang Tuo, Chinese ambassador to Cuba, welcomed Premier Li and his wife Cheng Hong at the airport.

Premier Li said that as the first Chinese premier to visit Cuba during the 56th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties, he expected to deepen traditional friendship with Cuba, enhance pragmatic cooperation and maintain close cultural exchanges.

China is willing to work with Cuba in crucial development stages of each side, and promote bilateral relations to a higher level, said the Premier.

During his visit to Cuba, Premier Li will hold talks with Raul Castro, visit the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and attend people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Cuban leaders.

The two countries will sign nearly 30 governmental agreements and business deals, covering fields like economy, technology, finance, production capacity cooperation, communications, new energy, and inspection and quarantine.

Premier Li and his wife arrived in Havana after an official visit to Canada. Canadian officials, including Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, and Chinese Ambassador to Canada Luo Zhaohui saw Premier Li off at the airport in Montreal.