Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero today ended an official visit to China, which he described as successful after various conversations at the highest level, business exchanges, and the signing of agreements.

«We are very satisfied, I consider that they have given us a warm welcome and in particular the participation in the VI China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai was extensive, with about 18 Cuban companies represented,» he commented.

In making an assessment of his stay in the Asian giant, the senior leader stressed the meeting with President Xi Jinping and the affection with which he referred to both countries as «good friends, good companions, and good brothers».

According to the prime minister, in those talks, the head of state emphasized the unwavering support of this country for the sovereignty of the island and against the U.S. blockade and raised the political will to extend bilateral cooperation.

Marrero referred to the potential of a closer multi-sectoral collaboration to raise economic and trade relations to the same level as the excellent political ties.

As part of his agenda, Marrero traveled to Zhejiang and spoke with the Secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Yi Lianhong, on bilateral ties. He visited the City Brain, a technological command center in the southern city of Hangzhou, known for its innovation and for being the headquarters of leading companies in the Asian giant, such as Alibaba.

At another time, he spoke with leading entrepreneurs of the China-Latin America Industrial Park platform and learned about its particularities.

On his return to Shanghai, he held a meeting with Dilma Rousseff, director of the New Development Bank, one of the main financial institutions of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

During his stay in that city, he spoke with the Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang, and both highlighted the traditional friendship that unites the two countries and signed cooperation agreements.

The agreements signed cover different sectors of bilateral cooperation such as transportation, biotechnology, agri-food, and digital television.

On November 5, he participated in the inauguration of the CIIE and gave a speech in which he advocated for fair, inclusive, multilateral, and mutually beneficial international cooperation, against unilateralism and protectionism.

During his stay, he witnessed the signing of two technology transfer agreements between the Caribbean nation’s Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and the Changchun Heber Biological Technology joint venture.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the creation of a joint venture between HubeiC&C Pharmaceutical and Dalmer.

In Beijing, he held talks with Xi and visited the Biotech Pharma joint venture and the headquarters of the e-commerce platform JD.com.

In addition, he talked with businessmen, Chinese tour operators, and his compatriots from the state mission and by videoconference with Cuban doctors who provide their services in four provinces of China.

This was Marrero’s first official visit to the Asian giant as prime minister.