China, Cuba Sign Trade Agreements

Havana, Cuba (AHN) - Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao signed several trade and investment agreements with Communist Cuba during his historic visit to the island nation, which aims to further boost ties between the two allies.

During his visit, Hu has raised four-point agenda to boost bilateral cooperation between Havana and Beijing. These are:

-- To maintain high-level exchanges and enhance political ties so as to consolidate the political foundation of the relationship between the two countries.

-- To deepen cooperation in economy and trade and achieve a mutually- beneficial and win-win result. To build an economic and trade structure of mutual benefit and common prosperity based on a principle of mutual benefit, win-win and complementary advantages.

-- To expand friendly exchanges in culture, education, health, sports and tourism.

-- To increase coordination in multi-lateral frameworks to protect developing nations and push for a world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

The Chinese leader also pledged to continue buying nickel and sugar from Cuba and help the island recover from the three recent strong typhoons.

Hu also met with ailing leader former president 82-year-old Fidel Castro who has not made any public appearance since 2006.