Chinese vice president, Cuban president attend event marking 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attended an event celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba in Beijing on Thursday.

Han and Diaz-Canel, also first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, delivered speeches at the event.

In his speech, Han said that over the past 65 years, under the guidance of the leaders of the two parties and the two countries, China-Cuba relations have become a model of solidarity and cooperation between socialist countries and sincere mutual assistance between developing countries.

Citing President Xi Jinping's remarks, Han said that no matter how the international situation changes, China's policy of upholding long-term friendship with Cuba will not change, its determination to support Cuba's socialist path will not change, and its resolve to work with Cuba to safeguard international fairness and justice and oppose hegemony will not change.

Noting that Xi and Diaz-Canel reached an important consensus in 2022 on jointly building a China-Cuba community with a shared future, Han said the two heads of state met again on Thursday and provided strategic guidance for further deepening and consolidating the development of the community.

Han said that China firmly supports Cuba in its just struggle to defend its national sovereignty and oppose foreign interference, and stands ready to work with Cuba to implement the new important consensus reached by the two heads of state

Diaz-Canel said that the relations between the two parties and the two countries have registered continued development under the care and guidance of the top leaders of both sides.

Cuba upholds the one-China principle and firmly supports the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Xi, he said.

Diaz-Canel said the Cuban side thanks China for its support and assistance to Cuba's development and will deepen cooperation with China in various fields at a strategic level to make greater progress in the building of a community with a shared future.

Prior to the exchange event, Han and Diaz-Canel had a meeting, and together visited an exhibition of archives and documents commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They also unveiled a commemorative stamp for the anniversary.

Chinese vice president, Cuban president attend event marking 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near