China and Cuba have signed five joint agreements that will help the island nation’s long-term recuperation from Hurricane Irma, reaffirming both country’s economic and political ties.
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Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca and Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Chen Xi signed the agreements. Included in the accords are China’s immediate US$1 million donation to Cuba to recuperate from Hurricane Irma. China will also donate US$12 million in aid materials, including tents, generators, mattresses, blankets and water.
In the long run, China will provide a line of credit for Cuba to update technology and for the Ernesto "Che" Guevara Electronic Company to produce and install solar panels as a part of the island’s energy system. China will also provide assistance to increase Cuba’s aquaculture production.
"The accords are aimed at supporting the process of recovery of the damages caused by Hurricane Irma," Malmierca said.
"China was one of the first nations to express its condolences and willingness to help after the hurricane hit," he added.
Immediately following Irma, China sent aid packages to Cuba to help recovery efforts.
In late September, Cuban President Raul Castro welcomed Chinese Prime Minister Li Kequiang to Cuba, laying the groundwork for accord content and signing.
China and Cuba have a long history of good relations, starting with increased visits since 1959, just after the Cuban Revolution. Since then, Cuba has received thousands of Chinese students to the island to study medicine and other fields of education.
Chen said the bilateral agreements are a "testimony of the existing friendly relations between the two countries."
In addition, China was Cuba’s principal trading partner in 2016, when the two countries traded more than US$2.5 billion.