Cuba-China ties marked with monthlong events

A book fair opened Thursday in China Town of Havana, capital of Cuba, as part of monthlong events to mark milestones in the friendly ties of the two nations.

The celebrations, which began Sept 25 and will run through Oct 24, featured important dates for both nations, including the establishment of diplomatic ties between Cuba and China on Sept 28, 1960, the birthday of Chinese philosopher Confucius, also on Sept 28, and the founding of the People's Republic of China, on Oct 1.

At a function organized to celebrate China's National Day at Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces Ministry Wednesday, China's Ambassador to Cuba Zhang Tuo hailed Sino-Cuba ties as "a model" of cooperation between developing countries.

The vice president of Cuba's Council of Ministers, Ricardo Cabrisas, said bilateral ties of the two countries were "at a historic peak," noting "mutual trust and confidence are on the rise, as are points of convergence."

There are other events to be held too, according to organizers.

On Oct 9, there will be a tribute to Chinese soldiers who died during the 20th-century independence wars against Spanish colonialism in Latin America, followed by a cultural event for children scheduled to be held at the House of Chinese Arts and Traditions on Oct. 17, as well as another event aimed at marking the 20th anniversary of the creation of the China Town health commission in Havana slated for Oct 24.