At a meeting on Monday with visiting Second Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba General Raul Castro Ruz, President Hu Jintao said the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government value their traditional friendship with Cuba and hope to push bilateral ties to a new high.

Hu, who is also CPC general secretary, recalled his visit to Cuba last November and spoke highly of the achievements of the Cuban Communist Party, government and people in their socialist construction.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in September 1960.

Castro, on behalf of the Cuban communist party and government, expressed gratitude for the assistance and support offered by China and stated that the Cuban communist party and government and their leaders will encourage further friendly exchanges and cooperation with China.

Since his arrival in Beijing on Sunday afternoon, Castro has also met with Vice President Zeng Qinghong; Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee; and Vice Chairman Xu Caihou of the Central Military Commission.

Castro has been the Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba since 1965 and First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers and Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces since 1959. He is the younger brother of Fidel Castro.

(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn April 19, 2005)