China vows to further military ties with Cuba

China pledged to further develop military ties with Cuba during a meeting of senior military officials from the two countries on Monday.

"The years since China and Cuba forged diplomatic ties in 1960 have witnessed a stable development of bilateral relations and fruitful cooperation in various fields," Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said when meeting with Alvaro Lopez Miera, vice minister and chief of the General Staff of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces.

The armed forces of China and Cuba have maintained frequent high-level visits and good communication, Liang said, citing the expansion of exchanges and cooperation in personnel training.

China has always believed that the development of China-Cuba relations and their military ties are in the fundamental interests of both nations' people, he said.

Liang, also a state councilor, said he would like to work with Cuba to further upgrade military ties.

Lopez praised China's achievements in social and economic growth, adding that Cuba is willing to learn from China's experience.

He also offered his condolences to the the victims of the 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolting northwest China's Qinghai Province on April 14, expressing his hope the two countries can enhance military cooperation in disaster-relief work.

Arriving in China April 24, Lopez is scheduled to conclude the official goodwill visit on April 29.

He held talks with Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of China's People's Liberation Army, here on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua