CGTN's Luis Chirino recently spoke with China's Ambassador to Cuba, Hua Xin, ahead of the upcoming Two Sessions.

Their conversation at the Chinese embassy in Havana focused on China's relations with Latin America, including its long-standing cooperation with Cuba. 

LUIS CHIRINO Havana "Ambassador Hua Xin, this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Cuba. How do you assess the current China-Cuba relations? Could you present the latest achievements in bilateral cooperation and share your views on the prospects of future development?"

HUA XIN Chinese Ambassador to Cuba "Practical cooperation 'benefits the people'. A number of major projects have been resumed. A Chinese agricultural expert group has offered technical training and guidance in Cuba, and a photovoltaic power plant built with Chinese assistance has eased the shortage of power supply in Cuba. Cultural and tourism cooperation has stepped onto the 'expressway'. Last year, the two countries resumed direct flights. Cuba exempted visas for Chinese citizens and China waived visa fees for Cuban people."

LUIS CHIRINO Havana "Ambassador, how do you evaluate China-Latin America relations and what role has China played in promoting the development of these relations?"

HUA XIN Chinese Ambassador to Cuba "Both China and Latin America belong to the 'Global South'. The relations between the two sides have always been based on mutual benefit and win-win results. China-Latin America cooperation possesses a robust internal driving force and is above board. It does not target, exclude nor should it be influenced by any third party. Any attempt to undermine the cooperation between China and Latin America will be doomed to failure."

LUIS CHIRINO Havana "And what are the benefits that the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Latin America has brought to the Latin American countries and how does Cuba fit into the Belt and Road Initiative?"

HUA XIN Chinese Ambassador to Cuba "The Belt and Road Initiative is an open, inclusive, and win-win platform for international cooperation. More than 150 countries, including 22 Latin American countries, have participated in the Belt and Road Initiative, and achieved tangible results."

LUIS CHIRINO Havana "The story of the retired Cuban pilots has recently touched the hearts of many Chinese netizens. Could you please give a brief introduction?"

HUA XIN Chinese Ambassador to Cuba "In 1961, 223 Cuban young people went to China to study flight and aircraft maintenance. We invited more than ten retired pilots who had studied in China and their families to my embassy as guests to reminisce about the past and write a new chapter of friendship between the two militaries and the two peoples."