Hu Jintao said he was delighted to see Castro again, and was especially pleased to see that the Cuban leader had recovered from health problems. Castro extended a warm welcome to old friend Hu Jintao for his second state visit to Cuba.

On Sino-Cuban relations, the Chinese President said the mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas has been expanding continuously, and bilateral ties have entered a new era of all-round development. Hu expressed heartfelt gratitude to Castro for his firm support for China on major issues such as Taiwan, Tibet and the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) visits Fidel Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, in Havana, capital of Cuba, Nov. 18, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

Castro expressed appreciation of China's relief and reconstruction efforts following the Wenchuan earthquake and other natural disasters. He once again congratulated China on its successful hosting of the Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympics as well as the success of the Shenzhou-7 manned space mission.

The two leaders also exchanged views on economic development and major international and regional issues including the global financial crisis.

Hu Jintao arrived in Havana on Monday for a state visit. The Chinese President brought 600,000 yuan's worth of relief goods to Cuba to help the country recover from recent hurricanes. The Chinese delegation encouraged Cuban officials to push ahead the reconstruction effort with full confidence, and pledged a further 70-million yuan financial assistance. The Chinese government has already provided nearly 50-million yuan of aid in cash and material to help Cuba rebuild damaged houses.

Cuba is the third leg of President Hu's five-nation trip which has taken him to the United States and Costa Rica. He will also visit Peru and Greece, and attend the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in the Peruvian capital of Lima.

(CCTV November 19, 2008)