Xi meets Cuban president in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Cuban counterpart pledged mutual support over interests Friday at a meeting further hailing a return to face-to-face diplomacy by Beijing.

A welcoming ceremony was held by Xi for Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, followed with bilateral talks. In the Chinese government news release, Diaz-Canel was quoted saying his visit showed the importance of the friendly relationship between Cuba and China.

China is Cuba's second-largest trading partner after key oil producer Colombia, and has provided buses, locomotives and other equipment for the island's drive to upgrade its decrepit infrastructure.