CHANGZHI, China.–Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz described the inauguration of the Biopharmaceutical Research Institute belonging to the Cuban-Chinese joint venture Biotech Pharmaceutical as a milestone for joint research between Cuba and China. The institute aims to use Chinese technology to create innovative products for cancer immunotherapy and neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.

During a tour of the facility, Martínez Díaz highlighted that, thanks to the ties of friendship and mutual assistance between the two countries, Cuba has received around $200 million.

He explained that this amount has been used primarily to purchase raw materials for the production of medicines in the country, as well as to promote research and development projects.

He pointed out that, at present, there are more than ten production facilities in China—some Chinese-owned and others joint ventures—where genetic products are being manufactured for use in our basic range of medicines.

He added that Cuba has ventured into comprehensive solid waste management, as well as projects related to telecommunications and telemedicine.

For the next stage, he reported, it was agreed to work on the creation of the first digital hospital in Cuba.

Beijing.–”In recent years, the China-Cuba Community of Shared Future has become increasingly deep and solid, and has become the hallmark of the ironclad friendship between both parties and countries.” This was stated by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, when he received the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and the delegation accompanying him at the People’s Palace. Xi asked Díaz-Canel to convey his greetings “to comrade Raúl Castro,” while highlighting the Cuban president’s attendance at “the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War.” “Recently,” he told Díaz-Canel, “you convened an event for this great anniversary in Havana, and you also personally led it, which clearly demonstrates the special friendship between China and Cuba, for which I express my high appreciation.” Xi Jinping also referred to this year’s commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “Both sides,” he emphasized, “should take advantage of this opportunity to take Chinese-Cuban ties to new heights, for the greater benefit of both peoples.” Echoing his colleague’s words, Díaz-Canel expressed his deep satisfaction at meeting him again, now on the occasion of the solemn and historic commemorations held in Beijing and throughout China on September 3, and conveyed to Xi “warm greetings from his old friend, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, a tireless promoter of our bilateral ties.” The Head of State praised the celebrations of these days as a recognition of the “heroic deeds of the Chinese people and their decisive contribution to the defeat of world fascism,” and as a demonstration of the “historic legacy of the Chinese process and also of China’s leadership at the international level.” The Cuban president noted that his visit this time also coincided with the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties. “Cuba,” he said, “is honored to be the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to have established relations with the People’s Republic of China, just as we are honored to be the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to be building a Community of Shared Future with the People’s Republic of China. “And it must be said,” he emphasized, “that these relations are, as you once said, ironclad. They are indestructible.” Díaz-Canel thanked Xi Jinping for his deep personal involvement and sensitivity on issues related to Cuba, and for leading the exceptional support that the brotherly Asian country is providing to the island. At the end of the meeting between the Cuban and Chinese presidents and the official delegations accompanying them, the signing of 11 cooperation documents by both parties was announced. Among the agreements are those related to the Belt and Road Initiative, political consultations, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and the Global Security Initiative. Commitments were signed related to agricultural and territorial cooperation, artificial intelligence, traditional medicine, quality infrastructure, the press, film, and television. TRIBUTE TO THE HEROES OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE The Cuban president began Thursday’s activities in Beijing by laying a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Tiananmen Square. Together with the delegation accompanying him on his official visit, the Head of State paid tribute with a floral arrangement similar to the one placed 30 years ago by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz in front of the majestic monolith erected in the center of the historic square. With the message, in characters of the local language: “In memory of the heroes of the Chinese people, on behalf of the Cuban people, Communist Party and Government,” the commemorative ribbon bore the colors of the Cuban flag and was displayed on an offering in which yellow flowers stood out, as in Fidel’s 1995 offering. In Chinese culture, yellow is a predominantly positive, powerful, and sacred color; it represents its glorious history, its philosophy based on balance, its connection to the earth, and legitimate authority. According to tradition, it is the most “royal” color in Chinese tradition. FRIENDLY LAND In the morning, Díaz-Canel also held a meeting with Comrade Li Xi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, who recently visited Cuba. As in his previous activities in Beijing on Thursday, the Head of State was accompanied by Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Emilio Lozada García, member of the Central Committee and head of its Department of International Relations; and the Cuban ambassador to China, Alberto Blanco Silva. Also participating were Ministers Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment; Vicente de la O Levy, of Energy and Mines; Mayra Arevich Marín, of Communications; and the president of the Central Bank of Cuba, Juana Lilia Delgado, among other members of the official delegation. In the early afternoon, the Cuban leader also met with Comrade Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China. After the meeting, both leaders toured the exhibition organized to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, at the headquarters of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.