China's top legislator Zhao Leji and Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power, held talks on Thursday in Beijing, vowing to strengthen exchange in the area of rule-of-law development.
Lazo is leading a delegation to visit China from Nov. 6 to 12 at the invitation of Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
During the meeting, Zhao said that China is ready to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and promote the building of a China-Cuba community with a shared future and ensure its stability and sustainability.
Zhao said China has always placed Cuba in a special position in its external relations, and is willing to deepen political mutual trust and strategic coordination with the country.
Zhao thanked Cuba for its firm support on the Taiwan question and other issues concerning China's core interests. He said China supports Cuba firmly in its just struggle against sanctions, blockades and external interference, and will continue providing Cuba with assistance and support within its own capacity. The NPC of China is willing to work with Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power to implement the cooperation agreement between the legislative bodies of the two countries, he said. He called on both sides to strengthen coordination and speak with one voice on safeguarding each other's core and major interests, and to undertake dialogue and exchange in the areas of socialist-democracy and rule-of-law development, poverty reduction and public security.
The two nations should also promote exchange in the fields of education, culture, youth and media, and consolidate the popular public support for the China-Cuba friendship, he added.
Zhao also said that the legislatures of the two countries can promote the exchange of experience in strengthening key legislation areas and improving the quality of legislation.
Lazo said that Cuba adheres firmly to the one-China principle, supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and is willing to learn from China's experience in reform and opening-up, as well as in party construction.
Lazo said the National Assembly of People's Power is willing to strengthen its friendly exchange with China's NPC, advance exchange and mutual learning in rule-of-law development and other areas.
Zhao and Lazo signed a cooperation agreement between their two legislative bodies following their meeting.
China, Cuba vow to strengthen exchange in rule-of-law development
