Premier Li Keqiang made a historic visit to Cuba. (Photo : Getty Images)
Premier Li Keqiang visited Cuba recently and had talks with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana. The two leaders agreed that they will cooperate for Cuba's industrialization.
The trip of Premier Li is the first visit of a Chinese official to Cuba in 50 years.
Li went to Cuba after concluding his trip to New York for the U.N. General Assembly and his visit to Canada to talk to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Cuban trip ended with the Premier signing 20 agreements to boost cooperation in sectors of finance and infrastructure. Li stressed that the people's livelihood should be a priority.
He said that the two countries should "forge new areas of economic cooperation and intensify the mutual political trust."
According to the Chinese government, China is Cuba's second-largest trade partner. Trade was valued at $2.2 billion last year, a surge of 58.7 percent from 2014.
The Chinse Ministry of Commerce said that Cuba had a 4 percent growth last year.
Cuban media reported that the two countries will collaborate in sectors of science, environment, industry, energy, public health and agriculture. China will extend lines of credit for certain projects.
Many Cubans welcomed Li's visit. Rafael Hernandez, a professor of international relations at the University of Havana, said that the visit provides a "perfect opportunity."
He said, "The Premier's trip to the island is part of the constant exchanges between the two nations. It will also allow the Chinese leadership to examine future joint projects and see how much China's experience has helped Cuba in updating its socialist model."
"China has reached a high level of economic growth over the last 30 years while Cuba has achieved great social development. The possibility of exchanging experiences in these areas offers a very special framework for their relations today and for future development," the academic added.
