On the evening of April 3rd, Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) spoke with Acting Director of the Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) on the phone at request.

Song said that since the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease in China, First Secretary Raúl Castro and President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez sent messages of sympathies to General Secretary Xi Jinping at the first opportunity. President Díaz-Canel also went to the Chinese Embassy in Cuba to express support for China. The PCC has clearly voiced its support for the CPC and joined the call of the CPC and over 200 political parties in the world to strengthen international cooperation in fighting the pandemic. The special friendship between China and Cuba, the two good friends, comrades and brothers, has been once again proved. China has followed closely of the development of the pandemic in Cuba, resolutely supported the measures to combat the disease taken by the PCC, Cuban government and people, and is willing to provide all kinds of help according to Cuba’s needs. The IDCPC will strengthen communication and coordination with the Department of International Relations of the PCC Central Committee in this regard.

Song said that under the personal command and deployment of General Secretary Xi, China has made remarkable achievements in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and won praise from the international community. Faced with the severe situation worldwide, China has practiced the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind by actively sharing its experience in combating the disease and treatment and diagnosis plans, and offering support and assistance for countries in need within its capacity. Several Western countries politicized the pandemic and stigmatized China, which will not help these countries’ own efforts in prevention and control, but undermine the solidarity of international society and impede cooperation among various countries in fighting the pandemic. The Chinese side highly praises Cuba for actively participating in international cooperation to fight the pandemic, and is willing to work with various sides, including Cuba, to forge a community with a shared future in fighting the pandemic, so as to prevail over the disease at an early date and together build a beautiful world featuring peaceful development. The CPC highly values its exchanges and cooperation with the PCC, and will take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cuba diplomatic relations this year as an opportunity to boost the friendly relations featuring mutual help between the two countries for greater development.

The Cuban side expressed that under the wise leadership of General Secretary Xi Jinping, the Chinese people have made significant achievements. China’s efforts have bought precious time for the whole world, shore up the confidence of the world, and won recognition of the international society, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization. As the pandemic swept through the world, the international society can only overcome the difficulties through solidarity and cooperation. Cuba has firmly supported China and published the call of the CPC and the political parties of the world in its party newspaper for enhancing international cooperation in fighting the pandemic. Cuba thanks the CPC for sending a letter to share the experience and providing medical supplies, believing that Cuba and China have set an example of jointly tackling global challenge by countries of different sizes. The Cuban side will continue to protect health and legitimate rights of Chinese nationals in Cuba. The PCC attaches great importance to exchanging experience in party governance and state administration, and hopes to advance bilateral cooperation in various areas through inter-party channels, so as to better benefit the two countries and the two peoples.

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