The two officials, both members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, are Carlos Lage Davila, who is also vice-president of the Council of State and Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers, and Jose Ramon Balaguer, who heads the International Department of the Cuban Communist party's central committee.

Li and Lage spoke highly of current China-Cuba relations, gave a briefing on each other's domestic economic situation and exchanged views on furthering bilateral relationship.

Li said promotion of this relationship has a solid basis, and expressed hope that both sides make greater efforts to expand the volume and scope of economic and trade cooperation, and continue to increase the cooperation efficiency and level.

Lage said Cuba values its friendly cooperation with China, noting that in recent years, bilateral relations have enjoyed smooth progress, in which the economic and trade ties were advancing swiftly and the cooperation fields continuing to expand.

There is still great potential in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, he said, adding that he hoped both sides make concerted efforts to help the cooperation achieve greater progress.

Earlier Monday, Li said in his talks with Balaguer that he was here to exchange views with Cuban comrades on furthering the friendly ties between the two parties and the two nations, and to make a field study of Cuba's achievements in socialist revolution and construction.

Li said he was also here to draw from the helpful experiences Cuba had gained in its political thinking and media management.

He said under the new circumstances, both sides should further expand cooperation fields, explore new ways of cooperation, so as to make bilateral friendly ties achieve continuous progress.

Balaguer said the Cuban party highly values its ties with the CPC and is ready to further expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Li spoke positively of Cuba's achievements in socialist revolution and construction, saying China is convinced the Cuban Communist Party and people, under Castro's leadership, are fully capable of overcoming all difficulties and achieving greater progress.

Prior to the talks, Li presented a wreath at the monument of Jose Martin, Cuba's national hero, poet and writer.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2003)