The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel is in Beijing, where he was received by the Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
The meeting was officially presented by the Castro regime as a "productive" gathering, during which several cooperation commitments were signed, covering areas such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, traditional medicine, infrastructure, and the cultural and media spheres.
"At the end of the meeting, the signing of eleven cooperation documents was announced. Among them are those related to the Belt and Road Initiative, political consultations, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and the Global Security Initiative," said the Presidency of Cuba on X.
Díaz-Canel, in his customary tone of gratitude towards Havana's political allies, stated on X that he had "deeply" thanked Xi for his "personal involvement and sensitivity" in handling Cuba's affairs.
His words reflect the regime's dependence on external support while the population on the Island continues to face blackouts, inflation, and shortages.
A tour with political scenery
After the meeting with Xi, the Cuban leader continued his official program with a tour of carefully designed spaces aimed at reinforcing the narrative of unwavering friendship between both regimes.
He visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China, an institution dedicated to glorifying the history of the organization and legitimizing its political hegemony, which "serves as a reference for Cuba," according to Díaz-Canel.
The head of state also visited the headquarters in Beijing of the joint venture BPL, a biotechnology project with Cuban involvement that produces and markets medications in thousands of Chinese hospitals.
The meeting praised "achievements," such as the export of the Cuban monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab and the initiation of the transfer of the production process for the CIMAVAX lung cancer vaccine.
However, for the vast majority of Cubans, it is contradictory that Díaz-Canel boasts about business successes in China while hospitals on the Island lack the most basic medications and supplies.
Military might as a backdrop
Díaz-Canel's trip coincided with an event heavy with geopolitical symbolism: the military parade in Tiananmen Square for the 80th anniversary of China's victory over Japan in World War II.
From a place of honor, Xi Jinping showcased to the world an arsenal of hundreds of advanced weapons and more than 10,000 soldiers, demonstrating for the communist leader that "China's rise is unstoppable."
The event was marked by the presence of Russian Vladimir Putin and Korean Kim Jong Un, allies of Beijing in its standoff with the West, creating an image of an authoritarian bloc that seemingly aims to challenge the global order led by the United States.
Meanwhile, Díaz-Canel joined this scenario, aligning Cuba once again with regimes noted for human rights violations and the use of military power as their calling card.
A visit with a double meaning
Díaz-Canel arrived in China from Vietnam, where he traveled last week with Lis Cuesta on a leased plane that costs 11,000 dollars per hour.
This concerns the Airbus A330-200, which has a capacity for 299 passengers, with tail number EC-KOM, belonging to the Spanish airline Plus Ultra, which the ruler has used on other occasions.
From China, he will head to Laos on an official tour of his ideological allies in Asia that strengthens Havana's dependence, while the population on the Island remains trapped in a structural crisis.
The delegation includes Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Emilio Lozada García, Head of the International Relations Department of the Central Committee; and Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment.
Although Lis Cuesta does not appear on the official list, as is customary, she accompanies her husband on the trip.
In the midst of the structural crisis facing Cuban society, this tour is another call for help from Havana to its allies.
The government showcases agreements and cooperation projects, but on the ground, the reality is different: hospitals lacking supplies, food and energy shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and repression of dissent.
The trip was a showcase of political and military gestures where the Cuban leader, rather than addressing the urgent needs of his people, chose to align himself with powers that display military might and authoritarian control as a model of strength.
Frequently Asked Questions about Díaz-Canel's Visit to China and its Implications
What were the main agreements signed between Cuba and China during Díaz-Canel's visit?
During Díaz-Canel's visit to China, several cooperation commitments were signed covering sectors such as agriculture, artificial intelligence, traditional medicine, infrastructure, and the cultural and media sphere. These agreements reflect the intention to strengthen ties between the two countries, although Cuba continues to face serious issues such as power outages and a shortage of medications.
What is Díaz-Canel's position on the relationship with China?
Díaz-Canel has expressed his gratitude towards China, highlighting Xi Jinping's "personal involvement and sensitivity" in handling the affairs of Cuba. The Cuban leader sees China as a strategic ally at a time when the island is facing a severe economic crisis. However, this approach is criticized for not resulting in concrete improvements for the Cuban population, who are suffering from a shortage of basic resources.
What does the military parade attended by Díaz-Canel in China symbolize?
The military parade in Tiananmen Square, attended by Díaz-Canel, symbolizes China's military might and its challenge to the global order led by the United States. This event, which was attended by leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, reinforces the image of an authoritarian bloc in which Cuba aligns itself, despite international criticism regarding human rights.
How does the relationship between Cuba and China affect the internal situation on the island?
Despite the cooperation agreements with China, the internal situation in Cuba remains critical. The population faces blackouts, shortages of medicines and food, and rampant inflation. Havana's dependence on its ideological allies has not alleviated these issues, suggesting that the benefits of these relationships do not reach the average citizen.
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