Published by: World Tibet Network News, Wednesday, July 10 1996

BEIJING (July 10, 1996) XINHUA - Chinese Communist Party Senior Official Hu Jintao, said here today that China would continue to support [the] Cuban people's struggle to safeguard national independence and sovereignty, and oppose foreign interference.

Hu, member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee and Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, made the remarks during his meeting with Jose Ramon Balaguer, member of the Political Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, and his party.

Hu said that the people of China and Cuba have enjoyed a long history of friendly contact and traditional friendship, and in recent years, the exchanges and cooperation of the two countries in various fields have expanded.

The Cuba visit by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and the visit to China by his Cuban counterpart Fidel Castro, have spurred the development of the friendly cooperation between the two countries, he added.

Hu expressed his thanks for the support Cuba has offered to China in international affairs, and on issues of Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

He also said that China is pleased to see the achievement Cuba has made in its reform drive and economic development.

Balaguer said that he was deeply impressed by China's great achievements in various aspects.

The exchanges between CCP and CPC will enhance the understanding and friendship between the two sides, he said, adding that Cuba attaches great importance to its friendly cooperation with China.

Balaguer and his party are in China at the invitation of CPC.