Jointly Writing a New Chapter of Ancient Chinese Friendship

"This is my first time to China, and this visit has left a deep impression on me." Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Tapia Fonseca said in an exclusive interview with reporters in Beijing recently, "Under the leadership of the CPC, China has made great achievements in promoting scientific and technological innovation, improving infrastructure, promoting the comprehensive revitalization of villages and towns, and so on, which is admirable."

Recently, Tapia was invited to visit China and attend the second high-level meeting of the Global Forum on Shared Development. He stated that as one of the practical measures to implement global development initiatives, the Global Shared Development Action Forum provides an important platform to deepen cooperation in various fields and promote the achievement of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals. At this meeting, China proposed a series of practical measures, including cultivating more professionals in professional fields for developing countries. We believe that these measures will further help developing countries enhance their independent development capabilities.

Tapia stated that China is firmly committed to working with all parties to implement the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Under the framework of the Global Development Initiative, China has strengthened cooperation with countries in the "Global South" through various means and achieved fruitful results. Cuba actively supports the Global Development Initiative and is a member of the "Friends of the Global Development Initiative Group". It is willing to work together with China to promote the deepening and implementation of the Global Development Initiative.

China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades, and good brothers. Over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have supported each other, worked hand in hand, and continuously deepened pragmatic cooperation. Taking agricultural cooperation as an example, the two countries have been cooperating on silkworms, Moringa, and other related industries for many years, contributing to the sustainable development of Cuba's related industries and demonstrating the significance of further deepening agricultural cooperation between the two countries, "said Tapia. During his visit to China, he also visited the Vegetable and Flower Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, rural areas and breeding bases in the suburbs of Beijing, to learn about relevant agricultural technologies and management experience. Tapia said, "Seeing China adopting advanced technologies to enhance crop disease and pest resistance, and improve production levels, makes me more convinced that the two countries have great potential for cooperation in strengthening agricultural technology exchanges and other aspects

Tapia stated that the two countries have a special friendly relationship and have provided important support to each other during difficult times. Since the beginning of this year, the Chinese government has provided emergency food aid to Cuba and completed the handover of the 12 MW solar photovoltaic power plant equipment project. China has provided support for the economic recovery of Cuba, and this assistance, as well as cooperation between the two countries in major livelihood areas, is crucial for the economic and social development of Cuba. Tapia said that Cuba is willing to continue to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China, work together to build a community of shared future between Cuba and China, and better benefit the people of both countries.

The relationship between China and ancient times is a model of unity and cooperation among socialist countries and sincere mutual assistance among developing countries. Implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state is the key to consolidating and strengthening bilateral relations. We believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, the two countries will continue to create new development opportunities and jointly write a new chapter of friendship between China and ancient times, "said Tapia. (People's Daily reporter Wang Xiaobo, People's Daily reporter Zhou Yu)