Chinese president Hu Jintao (R) meets with Raul Castro Ruz, second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, also first vice-president of the Council of State, in Beijing April 18, 2005.

At a meeting Monday with Raul Castro Ruz, second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Chinese president Hu Jintao said the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government very much value their traditional friendship with Cuba and hope to push bilateral ties to a new high.

Hu, who is also CPC general secretary, recalled pleasant memories of his visit to Cuba last November and spoke highly of the achievements of the Cuban Communist Party, government and Cuban people in their socialist constructions.

Hu said that Sino-Cuban relations have endured the tests of time and history in the 45 years since the two nations forged a diplomatic relationship, noting that the two countries have inherited a tradition of friendship in the new century and scored new progress in bilateral ties in a strategic manner.

The Chinese and Cuban communist parties are both unswervingly committed to the leadership of communist party in the direction of socialism, yet with equal zeal promise to explore innovative approaches to their respective development in line with their domestic situations, Hu said.

Fostering positive relations between the two parties and governments serves the nations and parties of the two countries and also contributes to the peace and progress of mankind, the Chinese president said.

Raul Castro expressed his pleasure to meet Hu in Beijing and conveyed greetings and good wishes from Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

He said the Cuban communist party and government highly value the contributions made by the leaders of the two parties and governments to deepen the bilateral, friendly and cooperative ties and will join hands with the CPC and Chinese government to encourage further friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Castro, on behalf of the Cuban communist party and government, expressed his gratitude to the valuable assistance and support offered by China.

Castro, who also serves as the first vice-president of the Council of State and the first vice-president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, embarked on an official visit to China on Sunday at the invitation of the CPC.