Since China and Cuba share a common form of socialism, it was but natural for Chinese President Xi Jinping to pay tribute to a fellow communist leader who just passed away. Xi called on Saturday the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro “a great figure of our times.”
He said Castro’s death meant China lost a great comrade and sincere friend. Xi added that Castro’s glorious image and great achievements will be part of history, Chinadaily reported. The Chinese president visited Castro in Cuba in 2011 and 2014.
Besides Xi, Premier Li Keqiang, who talked with Castro in the Cuban capital city on Sept. 25, sent a message of condolence on behalf of the country to Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother and successor. In his message, Li credited Fidel Castro with being the founder, defender and propeller of ties between Cuba and China.
Fidel Castro passed on power to his younger brother in 2006 after ruling Cuba for almost 50 years. However, he stepped down because of failing health. On Saturday, hours after the Cuban strongman died on Friday, China Central Television broadcast a documentary wherein Castro was seen asking Cubans who gathered at the Revolution Square in Havana on Sept. 2, 1960 if they want the country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. The Cubans said “Yes.”
Before the month ended, Cuba opened diplomatic ties with China, the first country in the west to link with China which had just turned communist then.
In Cuba, the government is planning a nine-day mourning period, “Duelo Nacional” or national pain, to mark the death of the 90-year-old leader. While Havana is quiet over the death of their former leader, the New York Times reported that Cuban exiles in Miami are celebrating the death of Fidel Castro.