Chinese president, Cuban premier meet in Beijing

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China’s President Xi Jinping on Monday received visiting Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz for bilateral talks in Beijing, according to Chinese state media.

Cruz is in China where he attended the sixth China International Import Expo – a global event attended by several foreign leaders.

China will continue to be an important opportunity for global development. We’ll firmly advance high-standard opening up and work for an economic globalization that’s more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all,” Xi said in message to the event.

On Sunday, Cruz met Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Cruz said Cuba and China expressed willingness to “expand bilateral relations in sectors of common interest and promote cooperation of the Asian giant (China) with other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The bilateral trade between two Communist party-led countries remains around $1.5 billion.

Xi also met visiting Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic in Bejing for official talks on Monday.