ISTANBUL 

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said that Beijing will “firmly support” Cuba in its “just fight” against interference and embargo.

Xi made the remarks as he hosted Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Beijing, a day after China staged a large-scale military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Beijing and Havana, Xi told his Cuban counterpart that the two nations should take this as an opportunity to enhance bilateral ties to a “higher level and bring more benefits to the two peoples.”

Xi urged the two sides to “commit to a shared future, deepen high-level political mutual trust, further intensify high-level exchanges, better share experience of Party and country governance, firmly support each other, and continue to deepen the special bond of sharing weal and woe,” according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“China will continue to offer help and support to Cuba to the best of its capability,” he added, noting that Beijing “will continue to firmly support Cuba’s just fight against interference and embargo.”

Xi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump last month signed a memorandum to intensify economic pressure and restrictions on Cuba, which was slammed by Havana for “punishing the entire Cuban people.”

Trump’s move to sign the memorandum was one of several decisions taken against the Cuban government, such as reinstating Cuba as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism,” and continuing efforts to reverse the Joe Biden administration's attempts to improve the relationship with Havana.

In 2021, the total bilateral volume between China and Cuba amounted to $1.02 billion, and the two sides continue to maintain diplomatic relations since 1960.