Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, holds a ceremony to welcome Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban president, prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov 25, 2022. Photo:Xinhua

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, held talks Friday with Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban president, in the Great Hall of the People. Xi stressed that China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers who trust each other and share weal and woe. The three "good's" fully embody the special friendly relationship between the two parties and the two countries, and are also the condensation and refinement of a special period of history. 

On the same day, the two sides issued a joint statement on deepening China-Cuba relations in the new era, which speaks highly of the traditional friendship between the two countries. On the basis of deepening political mutual trust and expanding practical cooperation, the two sides also emphasized firm mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests, and a consensus on the current international order. This is precious in today's international relations.

Cuba was the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Over the course of more than half a century, despite the vicissitudes of the international situation, the sincere friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Cuba have not wavered, and always shown vitality. China-Cuba relations have become a model of socialist countries to unite and cooperate and of developing countries to sincerely assist each other. This is beyond the comprehension of the arrogant and narrow-minded US and Western elites.

In fact, their opinion of China-Cuba relations is often low. When reporting on Diaz-Canel's visit to China, some US media commented grotesquely that Cuba could be called China's "brother" in the US' backyard. This represents the inner thinking of a considerable number of Americans on China-Cuba relations. On the one hand, they regard Latin America as the "US backyard," a space that cannot be touched by outsiders. On the other hand, they twist the special friendship between China and Cuba and believe that because Cuba is geographically close to the US, it could be manipulated or used to create trouble for the US. If we follow this logic, it is easy to realize why Washington has suddenly become so enthusiastic about China's neighboring countries.

As is widely known, the US has imposed an embargo on Cuba for the last 60 years. This hatred and bullying against a sovereign country for such an extended period is something that could probably only be done by the US. The US government argues that the sanctions against Cuba only target the government and not the people, which is completely inconsistent with the facts. From fuel and food to daily necessities and medicines, the US sanctions and blockade against Cuba cover almost everything, causing long-term hardship for the Cuban people. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the US even prevented Cuba from obtaining raw materials for vaccine production. This is no longer just a violation of international morality, but is tantamount to a crime.

Just earlier this month, the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly once again adopted a resolution with an overwhelming majority of countries (185 in favor, two against and two abstentions) demanding that the US end the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. This was the 30th consecutive time that the UN General Assembly had passed similar resolutions with an overwhelming majority. The US bullying against Cuba has triggered a broad sense in the international community of the need for justice. However, the US has turned a deaf ear to these wide calls for justice for 30 years, which is extremely insolent. 

Precisely because of this special experience, Cuba has expressed its sincere agreement with China's proposals of humanity's common values, as well as the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. The value of the special friendship between China and Cuba has become increasingly prominent, especially in the context of the unprecedented expansion of Washington's desire for hegemony and the huge uncertainty the US has caused. The special nature of this experience is not only because the two sides have always adhered to the path of socialism with their own characteristics, but also because they share many commonalities in safeguarding sovereignty and independence, defending international fairness and justice, and promoting world peace and development. They are connected at the heart. 

China-Cuba cooperation is a microcosm of China-Latin America cooperation. Cuba plays a critical role in the political ecology of Latin America, which highlights the strong desire of the Latin American region to follow the path of independent development. China-Cuba cooperation and China-Latin America cooperation have grown in leaps and bounds in recent years. In addition to the objective factor of economic complementarity, it is also due to the fact they are both developing countries that they can better appreciate the value of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. Some US media were sarcastic about the Cuban head of state's visit, claiming that China is using Cuba to gain geopolitical benefits. This reflects Washington's habitual hegemonic thinking about Latin America.

During his talks with Diaz-Canel, President Xi said, "China's commitment to long-term friendship with Cuba will not change. China's determination to support Cuba in pursuing socialism will not change. China's will to work with Cuba to safeguard international fairness and justice and oppose hegemony and power politics will not change." Friendship, justice, and mutual assistance - this is the overall pattern of China-Cuba relations in the new era, and it is also China's consistent attitude in foreign exchanges. After Diaz-Canel's trip, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh and Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, will pay visits to China successively. China's circle of friends is stable and close, and constantly expanding.