Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), has announced that the Chinese Government will provide disaster relief to Cuba to help the country in its recovery from the most devastating hurricane that has struck the island in 50 years.
Li made the remarks here on Sunday afternoon when meeting with President Fidel Castro Ruz of the Council of State of Cuba at the National Hotel in Havana.
The powerful hurricane, with winds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, caused heavy damage in many parts of the country with torrential rain and wild waves. The hurricane is expected to move out of the country in two or three days.
Havana appeared an empty city Monday as the authorities had warned citizens to stay indoors. Electricity has been cut in many places in Havana, and telephone and other communication lines have been seriously affected.
Li expressed deep concern over the suffering the hurricane has brought to the Cuban people, and said he believed that under the strong leadership of the Party and the Government headed by President Castro, the Cuban people will ride out the disaster, overcome all the difficulties and keep damage at a minimum.
Castro thanked China for her assistance saying that the support from the Chinese Government and the people is a huge inspiration for the Cuban people and that they are confident they will conquer all difficulties with the help of disaster relief.
Li Peng and Castro also exchanged views on bilateral ties and discussed international issues of common concern.
Castro extended a warm welcome to Li Peng, saying that "China and Cuba have achieved new gains in bilateral relations in recent years and that the two countries have carried out fruitful cooperation in all areas," said Li.
The successful visit to Cuba by President Jiang Zemin in April has opened up new prospects in bilateral ties, said Li.
China supports Cuba in its pursuit of independence and sovereignty and its just struggle against interference and threats from outside.
China is willing to work with Cuba to jointly enhance bilateral cooperation in all areas on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, he added.
Castro is also happy with the development of bilateral relations and stressed that the Party and the Government of Cuba attach high importance to the relationship with China and wish to extend cooperation with China in all fields.
The two countries established diplomatic relations on September 28, 1960.
Regarding the world economic situation, Castro highly appraised China's achievement of maintaining sustainable and rapid development.
Talking about anti-terrorism, Li Peng reiterated China's opposition to terrorism in all forms and its support of the anti-terrorist proposals passed by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.
Li said that anti-terrorist actions must aim at specific targets and must be based on convincing evidence and must avoid injuring the innocent, and the actions must be in line with principles of the Charter of the UN and the code of international law, and that the UN Security Council must exercise its due role in this regard.
Castro condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11 and expressed his firm resolve to fight against terrorism.
But at the same time, he emphasized that Cuba opposes solving terrorist problems through means of war, as wars do not solve problem, but hurt many innocent people. He expressed his support of China's just stance and its active role in the fight against terrorism.
In a separate meeting with his Cuban counterpart Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada on Sunday, Li said China would spare no effort to maintain a long-term, stable and comprehensive cooperative relationship with all Latin American nations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit in the new century.
According to Li, the Chinese Government attaches great significance to the relationship with Latin American countries, and in the recent years, China and countries in this region have strengthened political ties and expanded economic and trade cooperation.
China and Latin American countries share the same development goals and have a good base and great potential for bilateral collaboration, he said.
Chinese and Cuban comrades should keep in close contact in solving global and regional problems and jointly contributing to world peace and development, said Li.
Li Peng and Alarcon had an in-depth exchange of views on how to promote cooperation between the congresses of the two countries on major issues of common concern.
Li said that after the "September 11" terrorist attacks on the United States, contradictions have become more and more elaborate worlwide and factors leading to turbulence have also increased.
The incident once again showed to the world that the cause of human peace and development is still faced with many threats and challenges.
At present, global problems such as terrorist, separatist and extremist activities are the major threats to world peace and development.
He further pointed out that solving these global issues requires unity and co-operation of all nations as well as the effective operation of the United Nations and its Security Council.
The whole world must unite in the endeavour to eradicate the roots of terrorism, he said.
Regarding bilateral ties with Cuba, Li said that the Chinese NPC and its Cuban counterpart have had fruitful exchanges and cooperation in recent years, and the enhanced relationship has helped deepen the understanding and friendship between the two congresses and the two peoples, and promote bilateral relations of the two nations.
The Chinese NPC would like to work with the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba to continue the effort to further develop Sino-Cuban ties, Li said.
(China Daily November 6, 2001)
