On April 20, 2016, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz on his re-election as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and in his own name, Xi Jinping expressed congratulations to Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz. Xi Jinping said since the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, Cuba has adhered to the Party's leadership and the socialism development path, overcame many difficulties and yielded gratifying achievements in causes of revolution and construction. At present, the Communist Party of Cuba assesses the situation, decisively and steadily promotes the upgrade of economic and social models, and takes firm steps in exploring a road which conforms to national conditions of Cuba. It is believed that under the leadership of comrade Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz, the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban government will guide the Cuban people to stand together and endeavor bravely, so as to promote the causes of Cuban socialist revolution and construction at a new start toward a more brilliant future.

Xi Jinping stressed that the CPC and the Chinese government treasure the camaraderie and brotherhood friendship with the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban government, hold a firm stance on deepening traditional friendship with Cuba and expanding cooperation in various fields, and stand ready to make joint efforts with Cuban comrades to promote relations between the two parties and countries to a higher level.