Reference News Network, January 20 report: According to Latin American News Agency, January 19, Cuba officially started receiving the first batch of 30,000 tons of rice donated by China. This batch of rice was transported in the form of emergency aid, aiming to help the Cuban government ensure the country's people's food needs.
Cuba's Vice Premier Perez-Oliva said on January 19 at a thank-you ceremony held at the grain transfer warehouse of the Ministry of Internal Trade in Havana that this donation is a concrete manifestation of the exemplary, unconditional, and selfless cooperation between China and Cuba.
He emphasized that China not only cooperates with Cuba in many areas such as food and energy, but also genuinely helps Cuba improve its domestic rice production and promote food self-sufficiency.
Perez-Oliva said: "The current international situation is complex, and the economic, trade, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the Cuban people has intensified and reached an unprecedented level. We deeply appreciate and thank China for extending a helping hand at this moment. We highly value this kind act, which is a vivid portrayal of the joint efforts of the Chinese and Cuban peoples to build a community with a shared future for humanity."
Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Hua Xin stated that this aid not only carries the deep and sincere friendship between China and Cuba, but also demonstrates the firm belief of both sides to walk hand in hand through wind and waves. He believes that with the joint efforts of the two countries, no blockade can extinguish the light of hope, and no difficulty can block the path forward. China is willing to continue strengthening cooperation with Cuba, face difficulties together, and inject more momentum into building a China-Cuba community with a shared future.
Perez-Oliva revealed at the ceremony that Cuba has already received two batches of rice aid through the Mariel Container Terminal and the Santiago Port, each batch being 2,400 tons. These rice will be immediately distributed free of charge to the Cuban people.
He said that in the first half of this year, Cuba will receive another two batches of aid rice, and the government will fully receive all the grain donated by the Chinese government and people.
(Translated by Han Chao)
January 19, in Havana, the capital of Cuba, Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba, Perez-Oliva (center), speaks at the delivery ceremony. (Xinhua News Agency)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7597427962539016713/
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