Chinese FM meets Latin American, Caribbean officials

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez during the 68th United NationsGeneral Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 25, 2013. (Xinhua/Jun Zhang)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his counterparts from Cuba, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, and representatives of several other Latin American and Caribbean countries, Wednesday at UN Headquarters in New York.

Wang said China's new leadership values the country's relationship with Latin America, and hopes to wholly advance the bilateral cooperation, which is in line with the common interests of both sides, help lift the international status of developing countries, and better benefit the peoples and the world as a whole.

This year could be named the year of high-level exchanges, as Chinese President Xi Jinpinghas visited three Latin American states and held meetings with eight Caribbean state leaders, and in return eight Latin American and Caribbean state leaders have successively visited Beijing, Wang said.

China is willing to constantly boost the China-Latin America comprehensive cooperative partnership, which features equality, mutual benefit and common development, the minister said.

In a separate meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Wang said China's new leadership will continue to strengthen the time-tested traditional friendship between the two countries, support as always Cuba's efforts to safeguard state sovereignty, and combat outside interference.

Wang said China will always support Cuba's choice for development and try its best to give a helping hand, and will unhesitatingly support Cuba's legitimate interest.

Rodriguez said China's successful experience in socioeconomic development is useful to his country. Cuba adheres to the one China policy, and opposes any kind of outside interference in China's internal affairs.