On the afternoon of September 25, 2016 local time, Premier Li Keqiang visited Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in Havana. Both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, world peace, regional hotspot issues, food security and a wide range of other issues of common concern during their long talk. Mme. Cheng Hong, wife of Premier Li Keqiang was present at the meeting.

Li Keqiang first conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Xi Jinping, other Chinese leaders and the Chinese people to Comrade Fidel Castro and extended congratulations on his 90th birthday. Li Keqiang expressed that President Xi Jinping met and held an in-depth discussion with Comrade Fidel Castro during his state visit to Cuba. China cherishes very much its traditional friendship with Cuba and is willing to work with Cuba to consolidate political mutual trust, expand cooperation space and enhance the friendly feelings between the two peoples.

Li Keqiang pointed out that with the world's political and economic landscape undergoing complicated and profound adjustments, old and new issues are intertwined with each other and challenges are emerging one after another. No matter how international situations change, China-Cuba relationship of comrade and brother, featuring mutual respect, treating each other as equals and staying together at all times, will not change.

Li Keqiang expressed that I held a fruitful talk with Raúl Castro yesterday. The two countries signed a series of cooperation agreements in various fields. We agreed to carry forward China-Cuba friendship, deepen pragmatic cooperation, focus on national development and support each other in choosing a development path suitable to respective national conditions, so as to realize common prosperity. China is willing to work with Cuba to enhance strategic communication and strengthen coordination and cooperation, so that China-Cuba friendship and cooperation can not only benefit the two peoples, but also make contributions to peaceful development of the world and the cause of human progress.

Li Keqiang noted that the Colombia peace process agreement is about to be officially signed, exerting milestone significance to peace and development in Colombia as well as sending a strong and positive signal of safeguarding peace and promoting stability to the world. China highly appreciates that Cuba has played a critical role in relevant process, and that President Raúl Castro himself has traveled to Colombia to witness this historical moment, which embodies Cuba's international responsibility and accountability.

Fidel Castro congratulated Premier Li Keqiang on his successful visit to Cuba, and said that Cuba and China enjoy a profound friendship. Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations over 50 years ago, great changes have taken place in China. He is pleased to see the development China has achieved, and admires the Chinese people for their diligence and unyielding spirit. As current world situation is complex and ever changing, Cuba is willing to safeguard world peace and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.

Fidel Castro noted that Cuba highly values agricultural production. Its sucrose industry is quite advanced and food production is able to meet the country's need. Cuba is making more efforts to learn advanced agricultural technology from other countries and carry out more cooperation. The Cuban side pays special attention to improving productivity through reinforcing the education of youth. It is hoped that Cuba could strengthen communication with China regarding agricultural modernization to realize win-win cooperation.

After the meeting, Fidel Castro specially accompanied Li Keqiang and his wife to the outdoor plantation where many economic crops were grown, presenting a lush and verdant scenery. Li Keqiang inquired in details about the planting technology, economic value and other status of different crops. Fidel Castro answered with great familiarity. Both of them talked while walking. When talking about China-Cuba relations and cooperation, Li Keqiang and Fidel Castro firmly shook hands for several times. Fidel Castro saw Premier Li Keqiang and his wife's motorcade off after they bade farewell.