Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji met with Carlos Lage Davila, vice-president of the State Council of Cuba on December 10.

Zhu said Cuba is an important country in Latin America and the Caribbean region. The Cuban people have waged protracted and painstaking struggles to safeguard their national independence and sovereignty, he said.

China is delighted to see the achievements Cuba has made in developing its economy and improving the people's living standard, Zhu said.

The premier said that bilateral relations have entered a new stage of steady and all-round development. Friendly cooperation has been developing further in the fields of politics, economy and trade, science and technology and culture, he said.

Zhu expressed the hope that the two countries' relations would reach new levels in the next century.

Lage said that China's economy has continued to make rapid progress. China has not only weathered the Asian financial crisis unscathed, but has also made a great contribution to restoring and developing the economy in the region.

He said that Cuba attaches great importance to its relations with China, and Cuba is willing to enhance its cooperation with China in various fields.

Speaking on Cuba's economy, Lage said Cuba's economy has maintained steady economic progress since 1995. He said that despite difficulties, Cuba's economy will continue to grow and foreign investment in the country will continue to grow.

Lage, who is also the secretary of the Executive Committee of Cuba's Council of Ministers, arrived here Friday for a five day official visit.