国内英语新闻:Chinese, Cuban foreign ministers hold talks on bilateral relations

HAVANA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez here Saturday on the development of relations between their two countries.

Yang called Cuba a very influential country in Latin America and the Caribbean and said the promotion of traditional friendship ties between China and Cuba meets the fundamental interests of the two countries.

In addition, Yang said, promotion of the countries' traditional friendly ties also would help safeguard and strengthen global and regional peace and common development.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (L) shakes hands with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez during their meeting on the development of relations between their two countries in Havana of Cuba July 31, 2010.

Rodriguez said Cuba attaches great importance to strengthening its ties with China and is willing to advance its relationship with the Asian nation.

The two ministers agreed to bring their countries' bilateral ties to a new level at the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba.

They also agreed to maintain the momentum of exchanges between the leaders and senior officials of the two countries and expand exchanges at the inter-party, inter-governmental and inter-parliamentary levels.

The foreign ministers also agreed to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation, advance work on key cooperation projects, and encourage exchanges between their universities, research institutions and non-governmental organizations.

Rodriguez and Yang also agreed that China and Cuba should boost cooperation in international affairs to defend their interests and the common interests of developing nations.

The leaders also witnessed the signing of an economic and technological cooperation agreement between the two governments.

In addition, Yang paid tribute to Jose Julian Marti Perez at a monument honoring the Cuban poet and hero.