A reception was held in Beijing Thursday to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cuba diplomatic relations.

Cheng Siwei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress and president of the China-Latin America Friendship Association, attended the reception.

Addressing the reception, jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China-Latin America Friendship Association, Li Xiaolin, vice president of the CPAFFC, said Cuba was the first among the Latin American countries to forge diplomatic ties with China and the people of the two countries have enjoyed traditional friendship.

The mutual high-level visits have increased, acknowledged Li, and bilateral cooperation in diverse fields has been further expanded.

With the advancement of the relationship between the two countries, their non-governmental exchanges have also been strengthened, Li added.

She said CPAFFC has forged long-term friendly cooperative ties with some of Cuba's friendly associations. Various exchanges between the two peoples have greatly promoted mutual understanding and friendship.

Cuban Minister of Government Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz said Cuba has given unremitting and consistent support to the one-China policy and China's just cause of national reunification for 45 years.

It is not only beneficial to the two peoples but also to the people of the Latin American and Caribbean nations to step up and expand the existing relations of mutually beneficial cooperation, said Cabrisas.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2005)