Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Havana Sunday evening for an official good-will visit at the invitation of the Cuban Communist Party (CCP).
He is here to make friends, increase understanding, deepen friendship and enhance cooperation, Li said in a written statement upon arrival at the airport.
"During my forthcoming meetings with Cuban leaders here, I will exchange views with them over issues of common concern and learn from Cuba's experiences in socialist revolution and construction," he said.
Noting that Cuba is the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic ties with China, Li said that since then, bilateral exchanges and cooperation have been developing continuously in the political, economic, trade, scientific, technological and cultural sectors.
Li also praised the remarkable progress scored by the Cuban people under the CCP leadership headed by Fidel Castro.
Li was greeted at the airport by Jose Ramon Balaguer, member of the Political Bureau and head of the International Department of the CCP Central Committee.
Cuba is the first leg of Li's current tour, which will also take him to Argentina and New Zealand.
(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2003)
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