By Lisandra Cots
Cuba received a new donation of rice from China, as part of an aid program from the Government of the Asian country to support the people of the Caribbean island.
The cargo recently arrived at the port of Mariel, in the western province of Artemisa, about 45 kilometers from Havana, capital of Cuba, and is made up of 66 containers with more than 1,580 tons of rice.
The shipment was the first of a total of seven deliveries that will complete 20,000 tons of cereal, four of which will be received by the port of Mariel and the remaining three by the port of Santiago de Cuba, in the east of the island, between months of June and August.
During the donation reception ceremony held today Tuesday in the port of Mariel, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba (MINCEX), thanked, on behalf of his country, the Chinese Government and people for the “noble gesture” at a time when the Antillean nation is experiencing “complex economic times.”
“We are certain that this donation will benefit a significant number of the population in the western and eastern regions, thus contributing to meeting the food needs of our country,” said the head of MINCEX.
Pérez-Oliva recalled that this shipment is part of a comprehensive aid package from the Chinese Government to Cuba, which includes a total of 20,408 tons of rice, of which 408 were already delivered to the Cuban side through six charter flights in April. .
He added that the Asian nation’s comprehensive aid package towards Cuba also includes actions aimed at the energy and food sectors, among others, seeking to develop sustainable cooperation for the benefit of the Cuban people.
«It demonstrates the relations of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that have a special character between both countries. And, we are sure that together we will contribute with our work to the development of the community with a shared future that our main leaders have decided for our people,” Pérez-Oliva emphasized.
For his part, Ma Hui, Chinese ambassador to Cuba, highlighted that the donation is a sign of the friendship and mutual assistance between China and Cuba.
“Food security and sovereignty are fundamental interests of all countries and a shared responsibility of the international community,” said the diplomat.
Ma recalled that, in addition to responding to the “urgent needs of sister Cuba” by actively providing food aid, China also collaborates with the Cuban side to study and explore medium and long-term solutions that guarantee sustainable agricultural development in the Caribbean country.
“China is willing to share its experience and advanced technology with the world, with the Cuban side, strengthen technical and personnel exchanges in the agricultural field, help improve food production capacity, defend food sovereignty and security,” Ma said.
He also reiterated that his country will continue to provide all the help within its reach to alleviate the difficulties faced by the Cuban people under the United States blockade.
“We are fully convinced that Cuba will overcome these particularly disadvantageous conditions and make new progress in the socialist cause,” Ma added.
Ma highlighted that China-Cuba friendly relations have developed steadily over more than 60 years, becoming an “exemplary” case of solidarity and cooperation between socialist countries and sincere mutual support between developing countries. development paths, regardless of changes in the international situation.
“We will continue to make more progress to build the community with a shared future between China and Cuba,” Ma concluded.
