On July 31, 2010, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez in Havana.
Yang called Cuba a very influential country in Latin America and the Caribbean and said the promotion of traditional friendly ties between China and Cuba meets the fundamental interests of the two countries. In addition, Yang said, promotion of the countries' traditional friendly ties also would help safeguard and strengthen global and regional peace and common development.
Rodriguez said Cuba attaches great importance to strengthening ties with China from the strategic height of development toward a multi-polar world, expressing hope that both sides will continue to support each other and enhance cooperation.
The two ministers agreed to bring their countries' bilateral ties to a new level by taking the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba. First, they agreed to maintain the momentum of exchanges between the leaders and senior officials of the two countries, expand exchanges at the inter-party, inter-governmental and inter-parliamentary levels and learn from each other experience on developing the country. Second, both sides agreed to tap potential, boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation, advance key cooperation projects in all areas and join hands to cope with the global financial crisis. Third, both sides agreed to expand exchanges on culture, education and medical care and encourage contacts between their universities, research institutions and non-governmental organizations. Fourth, Rodriguez and Yang also agreed that China and Cuba should boost cooperation in international affairs to defend their interests and the common interests of developing nations at large.
Following the talks, the two foreign ministers attended the signing ceremony of an economic and technological cooperation agreement between the two governments.
On the same day, Yang also laid a wreath at a monument honoring Jose Julian Marti Perez, the Cuban poet and hero.