Cuba's effective insertion in the Silk Road and Belt Initiative will begin

The Cooperation Plan between the Government of the Republic of Cuba and the Government of the People's Republic of China for the joint promotion of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road was signed by Vice Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz and the chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, He Lifeng.

This document is the implementation mechanism of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two governments, for the insertion of Cuba in the Silk Road and Belt Initiative, on President Miguel Díaz-Canel's visit to China, in November 2018.

The Memorandum was drawn up in correspondence with Cuba's economic and social development objectives, in which China participates as a strategic partner.

The articles of the Cooperation Plan reflect the intentions of both parties to strengthen and boost bilateral cooperation in sectors prioritized for Cuba, such as infrastructure development, education, culture, health and biotechnology, communications, science and technology, and tourism, among other areas.

Also agreed are projects and actions that reflect mutual benefit interests to strengthen further and diversify the links between Cuba and China and third countries members of this initiative.

With the signing, both parties will implement actions that will allow the effective insertion of Cuba in the Silk Road and Belt Initiative, a mega-project promoted by the Chinese government since 2013.

It seeks to create an extensive network of infrastructure that contributes to connectivity among its members, enhances cultural exchange, and strengthens international cooperation.