China and Cuba will extend cooperation in health, biotechnology and the exchange of professionals, a senior Chinese official said in Havana Thursday.   

Chinese Vice Health Minister Zhu Qinsheng, who concluded a four-day visit to the Caribbean nation, said both sides have agreed to extend, through new and deep exchanges, the memorandum signed by health ministers of the two countries in 1998.

"We have a very productive dialogue and foresee a promising future," Zhu said after meetings with local officials and visiting research centers in Havana.

He expressed great interest in research by Cuban scientists, and promised to boost cooperation in this field.

The Chinese minister also invited the Cuban Health Minister, Damodar Pena, to visit Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2003)