China and the Global South – Cuban President’s Visit to China

Presidents-Miguel-Diaz-Canel-and-Xi-Jinping — Presidents Miguel Diaz-Canel and Xi Jinping - Photo: Estudios Revolución

Dongsheng News has published a Twitter thread summarising some of key news arising from Cuban President Diaz-Canel’s visit to China. The thread, which was originally published here, is set out below.

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Cuban President’s visit to China

Cuban President Díaz-Canel is the first head of state from LatAm & the Caribbean to visit China after the 20th National Congress of the CPC At the meeting, Xi Jinping said China-Cuba relations are an “exemplary case of solidarity&cooperation between socialist countries”. 1/10

During the visit, Xi noted that Cuba was the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with China, and that relations between the countries have also become an example of “sincere mutual assistance between developing countries”. 2/10

Xi called on the CPC (China) and the CPC (Cuba) to maintain close communication, make full use of mechanisms, such as the theoretical seminar, between the two sides to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and work together to promote innovation in socialist theories.3/10

The Chinese president also called on the parties to open a new frontier in adapting Marxism and the construction of socialism to national contexts and current needs. 4/10

Díaz-Canel said he highly values the theoretical and practical contributions of Xi’s leadership in building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, considered “a real incentive for all progressive forces”. 5/10

In November, the island’s government inaugurated the Cuban Ministerial Seminar on Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, given to Cuban officials from 33 institutions. 6/10 https://www-granma-cu.translate.goog/mundo/2022-11-17/inauguran-seminario-de-formacion-de-cuadros-entre-cuba-y-china?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp…

China agreed to restructure Cuba’s debt , which it has had difficulty paying due to the “intensification of the US blockade, the impact of the pandemic, and meteorological phenomena,” said Díaz-Canel. 7/10

Alejandro Gil, Cuba’s economy minister, also said that China has donated $100 million to help the island deal with the shortages of basic products and the energy crisis exacerbated by Hurricane Ian, which affected the Pinar del Rio province in September. 8/10

The delegations signed 12 legal instruments that include the reopening of new financing. Among them, the Cuban government highlighted financing agreements for a floating pier, the La Herradura wind farm, and a photovoltaic solar park. 9/10

“Regardless of how the international situation may evolve, China’s policy of maintaining a long-term friendship with Cuba will not change, nor will its determination to support Cuba on the path of socialism,” said President Xi Jinping. 10/10