President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Fidel Castro (R) meets with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who heads a delegation to attend the 14th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Havana

On September 16, 2006, President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Fidel Castro met in Havana with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who headed a delegation to attend the 14th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Yang first conveyed the cordial greetings and best wishes from President Hu Jintao to Castro and wished him a soon recovery. Castro expressed deep thanks for this and asked Yang to convey his sincere greetings to President Hu.

Yang said bilateral ties have been developing smoothly in recent years and the exchanges and cooperation in all areas have been strengthened continuously, with which China is delighted. He expressed belief that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Cuba friendly cooperation will achieve in-depth development for the benefit of both peoples.

Castro appreciated the great achievements of China's economic and social development. He said Cuba attaches great importance to relations with China and is satisfied with the progress Cuba-China friendly cooperation has scored in recent years. Cuba will work with China to continue advancing exchanges and cooperation in all areas.

Vice President of the Council of State and Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers Carlos Lage Davila, Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Zhao Rongxian and other officials attended the meeting.

Prior to the meeting, Raul Castro, First Vice President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers of Cuba also met with Yang.