Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla described his country's relationship with China spanning continents as a "model" for the relationship between socialist countries in an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing on Monday ahead of a key meeting in Beijing.
Before the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) ministerial forum which opened on Tuesday, Rodriguez framed the 65-year-old bilateral ties between Cuba and the People's Republic of China as a new form of relationship between a large country and a small island nation that could inspire future global partnerships.
"I've been here (China) several times, and I have an indelible memory of all my visits. I just attended the very important meeting between General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and First Secretary and President Díaz-Canel in Moscow. They confirmed the relationship between China and Cuba as good friends, good comrades, and brothers in struggle. It is an example of what the world of the future could be like, a new form of relationship between a large country like China and a small island like Cuba, bound by a special relationship. It is also a model for the relationship between two socialist countries and a model for the relationship between Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean," Rodriguez said. The Cuban foreign minister praised China's socialist development as a benchmark for Cuba, citing China's assistance during economic crises and natural disasters. He described the relationship as having "extraordinary potential" for growth, particularly in multilateral cooperation within international organizations.
"China can always count on Cuba's loyalty and contribution to the one-China principle, and on our solidarity and active participation in opposing any form of interference in internal affairs, political manipulation, or hostility against the People's Republic of China. At the same time, Cuba deeply appreciates China's persistent and notable opposition to the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government on Cuba, or its unjustified inclusion on an arbitrary and unilateral list of states supposedly sponsoring terrorism," Rodriguez said.
"For Cuba, China is a benchmark, an experience to be taken into account in socialist construction. In recent years, we have received intense and friendly Chinese solidarity in the face of adverse economic situations or natural disasters. China has always come to Cuba's aid, which Cuban families deeply appreciate. This is a special relationship of strategic scope, with optimal levels and, at the same time, extraordinary potential to be developed, not only in political dialog, which is excellent, but also in multilateral cooperation and within international organizations," he said.
China-Cuba ties set global model: Cuban FM
