The handover ceremony for the first batch of rice under China's emergency food assistance program to Cuba was held on Monday at a grain transit warehouse of Cuba's Ministry of Domestic Trade.
Attending the event were Cuban Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga; Minister of Domestic Trade Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Déborah Rivas Saavedra; and Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Hua Xin, among others.
At the ceremony, Perez-Oliva said that the donated supplies fully reflect China's valuable assistance to Cuba and the deep friendship between the two countries.
In addition to food aid, the two sides have engaged in extensive cooperation in areas such as energy, achieving rapid and effective progress, he said.
Cuba sincerely thanks the Chinese government for its support under the current challenging circumstances, and it is a concrete practice of jointly building a China-Cuba community with a shared future, the Cuban senior official said.
Hua Xin said the assistance not only embodies the profound special friendship between China and Cuba, but also demonstrates the firm conviction of the two sides to stand together through storms and challenges.
"Today, we witnessed the official delivery of the first batch of the emergency food aid assisted by the Chinese government. We believe that through joint efforts, no blockade can extinguish the light of hope, and no difficulty can hinder our progress. China is willing to continue strengthening cooperation with Cuba, overcoming difficulties together, and injecting greater momentum into building a China-Cuba community with a shared future," the Chinese ambassador said.
The total volume of rice assistance under this program amounts to 30,000 tonnes. The second batch has already arrived smoothly at the port of Santiago de Cuba, and subsequent batches are set to be shipped soon.
China delivers first batch of emergency rice aid to Cuba
China delivers first batch of emergency rice aid to Cuba
Fueled by expanded visa waiver policies and improved visitor services, Shanghai's inbound tourism is surging this summer.
Beyond shopping, growing numbers of international visitors are embracing the "China Chic" trend, exploring revitalized historic landmarks and time-honored brands to experience the city's rich cultural heritage and modern evolution.
Along Nanjing Road, the century-old eyewear brand Wu Liangcai Optical has partnered with the Shanghai Museum’s summer exhibition, Ancient Civilizations of the Americas.
Its nearly 1,000-square-meter flagship store has been transformed into a vibrant cultural destination, blending retail with art to attract overseas visitors.
"So I think the idea is very nice, like to put the whole kind of traditional Maya into merchandise, it's very interesting. And I think the design is very nice as well. I think it's the first time I ever taste corn ice cream, and it's very nice, delicate, not too sweet, very good. See the culture, the food, the people, I think that's the most interesting thing. So, I think I would expect in China, in a city like Shanghai to see all the cultures, to see all the things," said James, a visitor from Britain.
Nearby, a historic building on the Bund is hosting an immersive Song Dynasty (960-1279) exhibition, combining classical paintings, life-sized sets, and dynamic light installations to offer international visitors a deeper appreciation of China's cultural heritage.
"The most I like was the Sun Wukong, because it's one of the most famous in the international places. Yeah, I really like how the Chinese they can put all the products, they can make art with the culture, and then they can spread in the world. Also, the foreigners they can enjoy about the books, the stories about China, and I really like it so much," said Torres, a Chilean visitor.
These innovative cultural attractions are encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore the city more extensively.
In the first half of 2026, Shanghai received over 5 million inbound overnight visitors, marking a 31 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
Fresh cultural experiences boost Shanghai's inbound tourism
