Xi says China supports Cuba in safeguarding sovereignty, opposing foreign interference

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and opposing foreign interference and blockade.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.

The Chinese side also supports Cuba's efforts to promote economic and social development, said Xi, adding that the two sides, both as important members of the Global South, should enhance coordination and cooperation within frameworks like the BRICS and the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum, oppose power politics and unilateral bullying, and safeguard international fairness and justice.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba, Xi said China is willing to work with Cuba to further consolidate their solid friendship, build a closer China-Cuba community with a shared future, and set an exemplary model of unity and cooperation among socialist countries as well as sincere mutual assistance among developing nations.

Noting that Cuba and China are close friends and brothers, Diaz-Canel said Cuba is grateful for China's long-standing and strong support for its economic and social development. 

Cuba firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to work with China to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen friendly exchanges between their peoples, boost coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, deepen the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, and advance greater progress in bilateral relations, Diaz-Canel said. 

Cuba supports the three major global initiatives and stands ready to jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism with China, safeguarding the common interests of the international community, he added.