Cuba's top leader Raul Castro has begun a four-day official visit to China.

This is his first since taking over the presidency from his brother Fidel Castro in 2008. Vice President of the State Council Ricardo Cabrisas and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez are also part of the Cuban delegation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold talks with his Cuban counterpartner during the visit. Cuba and China established diplomatic relations in 1960, and have maintained friendly ties based on cooperation and mutual solidarity.

The visit comes as Cuba is beginning its first major overhaul of its economic model, which is partially based on the experiences of China in the past decades.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2012)