Cuba: Talks between ambassador and mayor of Shijiazhuang highlight exchanges and cooperation

Cuban Ambassador to China Alberto Blanco Silva visited Shijiazhuang, capital city of North China's Hebei Province, and met Ma Yujun, mayor of Shijiazhuang on March 18. During their talks, the two sides agreed to deepen mutual trust, enhance friendship and continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. 

Ma extended a warm welcome to the ambassador. He also gave an overview of the city of Shijiangzhuang. Being the provincial capital closest to Beijing, Shijiazhuang is equipped with advantages with a complete industrial system and high-standard opening up, Ma said, noting the city and Cuba could explore more cooperation in broad prospects. The city is committed to creating a first-class business environment, striving to provide full-factor, full-cycle and full-subject public services to facilitate foreign-funded enterprises to share growth opportunities and enhance development. 

The ambassador affirmed that Cuba and Shijiazhuang have a solid foundation for cooperation in biomedicine, and he will let more Cuban companies learn about investment opportunities in Shijiazhuang. He would also like to develop more cooperation in food production, energy, information technology and cultural tourism to help deepen friendship between the two countries. 

The past few years have witnessed pragmatic cooperation between Shijiazhuang and Cuba. In 2023, a delegation from Shijiazhuang visited Cuba and signed a memorandum of cooperation in the biotechnological sector. In 2024, the cooperation expanded in research and development as well as talent training program.