Beijing official hails China and Cuba as ‘good brothers’ in show of solidarity

Liu Haixing, who heads party’s international department, says ties are at ‘unprecedented new height’ during talks with counterpart in Havana

According to an official Chinese readout, Liu on Sunday held talks with Emilio Lozada Garcia, the Communist Party of Cuba’s international relations chief, describing China and Cuba as “good friends, good comrades and good brothers” and saying ties were at an “unprecedented new height”.

The Chinese official said the two countries had consistently supported each other through a shifting global landscape, deepening their friendship.

“China has always viewed and handled China-Cuba relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and will continue to, as always, adhere to the long-term friendly policy between China and Cuba,” Liu said.

“[China will] support Cuba’s path of socialism, advance pragmatic cooperation between China and Cuba, and work with Cuba to uphold international fairness and justice and oppose hegemony and power politics.”

It comes as the Donald Trump administration has been piling more pressure on Havana, following months of threats by the American president to seize control of the island.