Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, reaffirmed his commitment to back Cuba’s communist government during a meeting with Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba’s “president.”
Diaz-Canel’s visit to Beijing coincided with a military parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion. The Chinese government has been known to offer a skewed narrative of history, claiming a significant role in the defeat of Japan, while diminishing its own military interests in Taiwan.
According to a Chinese news outlet, Xi emphasized his intentions to support Cuba in any way possible. He also promised continued backing for Cuba against challenges posed by the United States.
Additionally, Xi advocated for enhanced cooperation in global initiatives, expressing the importance of working together on various international projects.
During their discussions, Cuba and China formalized 11 agreements, focusing on areas like agriculture, artificial intelligence, and media.
The Cuban government noted that Xi demonstrated “great respect” towards Diaz-Canel by hosting an official event in Havana to honor the end of World War II.
Reports suggest Cuba is keen to boost cooperation with China while creating a favorable environment for Chinese investments.
Diaz-Canel posted a video about their meeting on social media, thanking Xi for his supportive stance towards Cuba.
A June report from Reuters indicated that China is set to become Cuba’s primary benefactor, outpacing Russia. This shift is attributed to waning Russian support and the allure of China’s ambitious development plans.
The increasing reliance on Chinese aid coincides with a dire humanitarian situation in Cuba, which has suffered significantly from decades of economic mismanagement under communist rule.
In July, Diaz-Canel met with a Chinese official to express gratitude for training received, outlining the terms of an aid package that included essential supplies for Cuba’s struggling power grid, which remains severely inadequate despite such help.
Recent reports have highlighted China’s intentions to establish a new military installation on Cuban soil, raising concerns given its proximity to the U.S. In May, a U.S. congressional committee investigated claims of Chinese espionage activities on the island.
