On July 23, 2014, President Xi Jinping, accompanied at all times by Raúl Castro, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, visited Santiago de Cuba, the Heroic City and the second largest city of Cuba.

It was one and a half hours' flight from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. The two heads of state had a warm talk in the special plane, chatting cheerfully about friendship and discussing cooperation. Xi Jinping said that the Cuba Revolution Day is three days away, and I am delighted to pay a visit to Santiago de Cuba on the eve of it in the company of President Raúl.

After arriving in Santiago de Cuba, Xi Jinping, accompanied by Raúl, first laid a wreath at Jose Marti's tomb. The two heads of state stopped at the long-burning fire. Soldiers relieved guard with drumbeats. The military band played the national anthems of Cuba and China. Accompanied by marches, the guards of courtesy carried the wreath and led the two heads of state to stand in silent tribute before Jose Marti's tomb. Xi Jinping went up to tidy the ribbons and present flowers to cherish the memory of the Cuban national hero and revolutionary pioneer.

Jose Marti's tomb is located in Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia, where many Cuban revolutionary martyrs rest in peace. As Xi Jinping stopped at the revolutionary martyrs' memorial wall, Raúl Castro introduced the heroic deeds of the martyrs to Xi Jinping.

Then Xi Jinping visited the former site of the Moncada Barracks. On July 26, 1953, Fidel Castro led a group of young revolutionaries to attack the Barracks, thereby fired the first shot of Cuban Revolution. After the victory of the Cuban Revolution, Cuban government converted the Barracks into the "July 26" school city.

Xi Jinping and Raúl stepped into the "7.26" Historical Museum together. The historical pictures and relics relived the scenes in those years. Raúl told Xi Jinping about the winding course of the struggle. Xi Jinping stopped to watch from time to time, and asked questions in details. Xi Jinping pointed out that the two parties and countries have glorious revolutionary histories, and the revolutionary martyrs are precious spiritual treasure motivating us to continuously move forward.

Raul told Xi Jinping that the Barracks now has become a school city, and the Museum is the patriotism education base of Cuba. Xi Jinping stressed that only by remembering history can one look forward to future.

After leaving the former site of the Moncada Barracks, Xi Jinping arrived at the municipal government of Santiago de Cuba, and stepped up to the balcony on the second floor with Raul. On January 1, 1959, Fidel Castro stood right here to announce the victory of the Cuban Revolution. Xi Jinping was welcomed by the local citizens gathering at the square in front of the municipal government, and he waved to the cheering people. Xi Jinping and Raúl went into the welcoming crowd at the square, having warm talks with and extending greetings to them. The square was in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Raúl said that it is very hot today, but still incomparable to the passion from Cuban people for welcoming Xi Jinping's visit. Xi Jinping said that when listening to President Raúl's recalling of the Cuban Revolution, the history of the Revolution comes before my eyes. Cuban people are the heroic people and Santiago de Cuba is the city of heroes. I believe that under the leadership of President Raúl and the Communist Party of Cuba, Cuban people will continue to make new and greater achievements on the road of building socialism according to their national conditions.

After the visit, Xi Jinping held a meeting with Raúl again and further exchanged views on the China-Cuba relations and topics of common concern.

In the evening, Xi Jinping concluded his visit to Cuba, left Santiago de Cuba and set out for China. Raúl led Miguel Díaz-Canel, First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and other Cuban senior officials to see Xi Jinping off at the airport. Raúl warmly shook hands with Xi Jinping to bid farewell. Raúl said that President Xi Jinping's state visit to Cuba has achieved full success. During the visit, they had in-depth talks and reached many new and important consensuses on further developing the Cuba-China relations. He congratulated President Xi Jinping's visit to Latin America yielding fruitful results.

Xi Jinping stressed that his visit to Latin America rounded off in Cuba. President Raúl arranged schedules himself and took pains to accompany him throughout the visit, making him feel the profound friendship that President Raúl and the Cuban party, government and people toward China. I express sincere gratitude to this and wish the China-Cuba relations move forward constantly and the friendship between the two countries last forever.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the above activities.