The new leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is ready to work with Cuba to promote further development of relations between the two parties and the two countries, a senior CPC official said here Monday.

He Guoqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Jose R. Machado Ventura, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba.

He, also secretary of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said the new CPC leadership attaches great importance to and treasures the traditional friendship between China and Cuba.

Since China and Cuba established diplomatic relations 48 years ago, the two countries have witnessed steady growth of friendly cooperation, frequent exchanges of high-level visits, growing economic and trade exchanges as well as fruitful results of bilateral reciprocal cooperation, He said.

The two sides have supported each other on issues concerning their respective key interests and cooperated closely in international affairs, he added.

He spoke highly of Cuba's achievements in the construction of the party and country, and wished Cuba a greater success in its socialist building under the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party.

He expressed his appreciation for Cuba's support and assistance to China after the devastating earthquake hit southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12.

Machado, also first vice-president of the Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, agreed to He's views on furthering bilateral ties.

Machado reiterated that Cuba will, as always, support China's principled positions on the Taiwan and human rights issues. He said he believes that the Chinese people will overcome all difficulties and successfully host the 2008 summer Olympic Games.

He Guoqiang also introduced China's party-building and anti-corruption strive, and exchanged views on wide-ranging regional and international issues of common concern with Machado in an in-depth way.

On Monday afternoon, He visited the "Niceto Perez" agricultural production commune.

He arrived here Sunday evening on a four-day goodwill visit to Cuba, the first leg of his four-country visit that will also take him to Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Angola.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2008)