On November 17, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Havana for a state visit to Cuba aimed at pushing forward bilateral friendly cooperative relations.

At 20:00 local time, Hu’s special plane arrived at Havana Jose Marti International Airport, where President Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing were warmly welcomed by Cuban officials including Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, first vice-president of Cuba's Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers.

In a written speech issued at the airport, the Chinese president said that Cuba is an important country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Over the past half a century, the Cuban people have scored great achievements in safeguarding sate sovereignty, developing national economy and improving people’s livelihood. China sincerely wishes the Cuban people continuous new progress on the path of building socialism.

Hu said Cuba is the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. Over the years, the two peoples have always understood each other and offered mutual support and assistance, thus forging a profound friendship. "It is the common desire of the Chinese and the Cuban peoples to consolidate and further develop lasting friendship between the two nations," he said. He pointed out that the purpose of his current visit is to build up friendship, expand cooperation and open up a bright future for bilateral friendly cooperation.

Hu said during his visit he will exchange views with President Raul Castro and other Cuban leaders on bilateral ties and major world issues of mutual concern and both sides will brief each other on their respective development experience. President Hu said that he believes his visit would be a complete success under the thoughtful arrangements of the Cuban side.

The accompanying officials including Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo arrived by the same plane.

Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Zhao Rongxian and the staff of the embassy also greeted Hu and his entourage at the airport.

President Hu flew to Havana by special plane from San Jose, Costa Rica, after a state visit to the Central American nation. He will also visit Peru and Greece, and attend the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in the Peruvian capital of Lima. The Chinese leader earlier attended the G20 summit on the financial markets and world economy in Washington, the capital of the United States.