国内英语新闻:Chinese leader stresses close ties with Cuba

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leader Liu Yunshan said Wednesday that China and Cuba are closely tied with common aspiration and belief despite the two countries being geographically far apart.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the remark as he met with Jose Ramon Balaguer, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of Cuba.

Liu said the new Chinese leadership with Xi Jinping as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee cherishes the time-honored friendship between China and Cuba. The leadership will continue to work with the Communist Party of Cuba to step up the exchange of experience in governance, boost cooperation in various fields, promote friendly contact between the two countries and peoples and open up a new era of China-Cuba friendship.

Liu praised the new achievements Cuba has made in its socialist development and briefed the guests about the domestic situation of China.

Balaguer said Cuba places great importance on relations between the two countries and their ruling parties. He expressed readiness to work with China to maintain and advance the rapid development of Cuba-China relations. He briefed Liu on the current situation of Cuba and the Communist Party of Cuba.

Wang Jiarui, head of the CPC International Department, attended the meeting.