In 2021, the friendly and cooperative relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Cuba grew steadily.

The unique friendship between China and Cuba further deepened. In January, on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the victory of the Cuban Revolution and the New Year, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President Xi Jinping sent congratulatory messages to First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba Raúl Castro and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. In March, First Secretary Raúl Castro and President Miguel Díaz-Canel sent congratulatory messages to General Secretary Xi Jinping on China’s complete victory in eradicating absolute poverty. In April, the CPC Central Committee sent a congratulatory message on the convening of the Eighth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, and General Secretary and President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel on his election. In May, General Secretary Xi Jinping and First Secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel spoke on the phone, reaching important common understanding on deepening the unique friendship between the two parties. NPC Chairman Li Zhanshu had a virtual meeting with President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo. In July, First Secretary and President Díaz-Canel sent a signed letter to General Secretary Xi to express congratulations on the centenary of the CPC, and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba sent a congratulatory message to the CPC Central Committee. The Communist Party of Cuba held celebrations in Havana to mark the CPC’s centenary, and Cuban revolutionary leader Raúl Castro and First Secretary and President Miguel Díaz-Canel attended the event. In August, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and First Secretary and President Miguel Díaz-Canel had a telephone call, reaching important common understanding on the future development of bilateral relations.

After the July 11 anti-government protests in Cuba, China expressed on different occasions support for Cuba in safeguarding stability and opposing interference. China also provided emergency humanitarian assistance to Cuba, including ventilators, oxygen generators, protective suits, medicine and rice.

The two countries supported each other in international affairs. At the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Cuba delivered a statement on behalf of 64 countries in support of China. At the 47th and 48th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council, Cuba continued to co-sign joint statements supporting China. At the 74th World Health Assembly, Cuba delivered a speech under the “2+2” format, supporting the one-China position and opposing the proposal by some countries to “invite Taiwan to participate in the World Health Assembly as an observer”. During the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, China voted in favor of the Cuba-sponsored resolution entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.

Practical cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges advanced steadily. China and Cuba signed a document on Belt and Road cooperation, and Cuba joined the Belt and Road Energy Partnership. Cuban Prime Minister Marrero attended the opening ceremony of the Zhongguancun Forum and delivered a speech via video link. The 12th meeting of the China-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission on Science and Technology and the 11th meeting of the China-Cuba Joint Working Group on Biotechnology were successfully held. Cuba participated in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo held in Guangzhou. The two sides signed the newly revised Agreement Between China and Cuba Regarding the Mutual Exemption of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic, Service and Public Affairs Passports, laying a good foundation for post-COVID people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.