Chinese, Cuban communist parties hold seventh theory seminar

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) held the seventh theory seminar on Thursday in Beijing, which focused on the practice and experience in promoting socialist modernization through scientific development planning.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Gladys Martinez Verdecia, a member of Politburo of the Central Committee of the PCC and first secretary of Artemisa Provincial Party Committee, attended the seminar and delivered keynote speeches.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba, Li said, noting that the top leaders of the two parties and countries have exchanged congratulatory messages on this occasion and held two meetings this year, engaging in in-depth discussions on the relations between the two parties and countries.

These interactions have provided strategic guidance for further strengthening the ironclad friendship and building an even closer China-Cuba community with a shared future, Li added.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has formulated the top-level design and strategic plan for China's development during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) period, Li said, noting that the CPC emphasizes guiding economic and social development through medium-term and long-term planning, and China has vigorously promoted the enhancement of its overall national strength and the improvement of people's livelihoods through successive five-year plans.

Martinez spoke highly of the tremendous accomplishments made by China in the new era under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. She also expressed Cuba's willingness to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with China on the experience of party and state governance, and to jointly promote the building of a Cuba-China community with a shared future.

Chinese, Cuban communist parties hold seventh theory seminar

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Chengdu City, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday evening, marking the second stop of his three-day state visit to China.

Macron is on a state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

As a key hub in western China, Chengdu is renowned for its rich history and culture, serving as an important international transport gateway.

The city also has a long-standing relationship with France. In 1981, Chengdu and France's Montpellier became the first pair of sister cities between the two countries.

This is Macron's fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit to Xi's historic state visit to France last year that marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The French president has maintained the tradition of visiting cities beyond Beijing. He traveled to Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province during previous visits.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Chengdu after Beijing trip