Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday met with Cuban leader Raul Castro and discussed efforts to further China-Cuba ties.

Hu hailed China-Cuba relations, which have been developing smoothly ever since Cuba established diplomatic ties with China in 1960, the first among Latin American nations.

"The recent years have witnessed new progress of their relations, which have entered a phase of all-around development," Hu said.

Friendly exchanges have been maintained between the leaders, congresses, governments, militaries and peoples of the two countries and their mutual political trust continues to deepen, Hu said.

In addition, Hu said trade between China and Cuba has increased rapidly and cooperation in investment, energy, agriculture, and bio-technology is also moving smoothly.

Noting the countries' growing number in exchanged students and the important progress in an ophthalmology cooperation project in China, Hu said breakthroughs have been observed in education and cultural cooperation between the two sides.

Praising the coordinated, fruitful cooperation between China and Cuba in dealing with international affairs, Hu said Havana and Beijing have worked together to safeguard the rights and interests of their nations and developing countries as a whole.

"It has been proved that Cuba and China are good friends, good comrades and good brothers," the president said.

Hu raised a four-point proposal to further bilateral ties.

-- To maintain high-level exchanges and enhance political ties so as to consolidate the political foundation of the relationship between the two countries.

-- To deepen cooperation in economy and trade and achieve a mutually- beneficial and win-win result. To build an economic and trade structure of mutual benefit and common prosperity based on a principle of mutual benefit, win-win and complementary advantages.

-- To expand friendly exchanges in culture, education, health, sports and tourism.

-- To increase coordination in multi-lateral frameworks to protect developing nations and push for a world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

Echoing President's view on Cuba-China relations and his proposal for promoting ties between the two countries, Raul Castro said China and its people have long offered support and assistance to the Cuban government and the Cuban people.

The Cuban people are deeply moved as President Hu's chartered plane even brought relief materials to Cuba hit by hurricanes, Raul Castro added.

Meanwhile, Raul Castro expressed the hope that the two countries can deepen their cooperation in various fields and enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the current international and regional situation.

Following their meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for five agreements on bilateral cooperation in economy, technology, education and public health.

Hu arrived in Havana on Monday after concluding a state visit to Costa Rica. This is Hu's second state visit to Cuba as Chinese president. He had earlier visited Cuba in November 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2008)