HAVANA, April 6 -- China values its traditional friendship with Cuba and supports Havana's efforts to explore a socialist path that matches its national condition, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) told Cuban leader Raul Castro on Tuesday.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 56 years ago, China and Cuba have supported each other and forged profound friendship in their bids to build the socialist cause, safeguard world peace and promote common development, said Sun Zhengcai, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

In recent years, the ruling parties of the two countries have carried forward their relations, promoting party building and socialist cause in the two countries and providing political leadership and support for overall bilateral relations, said Sun, who leads a CPC delegation.

Sun, head of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, pledged that Chongqing will enhance pragmatic cooperation with Cuba so as to contribute to the overall relations of the two countries.

For his part, Castro said relations between the two countries are at their best.

As Cuba is working on the transfer of economic and social models, Castro said, his country stands ready to exchange experiences with the Chinese side on party building and national governance in their efforts to explore socialist paths that fit their national conditions.

Castro also briefed Sun on Cuba's domestic and international situations and on preparations for the seventh national congress of the Cuban Communist Party due on April 16.

Sun and his delegation arrived in Cuba on Sunday for a visit. He met Monday with Jose Ramon Balaguer, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of Cuba. He is expected to meet members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party on Wednesday.