President Xi Jinping said today that China-Cuba links are an example of unity and cooperation between developing countries and expressed his willingness to work with Latin America and the Caribbean to promote a Comprehensive Partnership.

"The relations with Cuba have passed the test of international difficulties to become and example of unity and cooperation between developing countries," said Xi in an interview with Prensa Latina and other media organizations before kicking off his Latin American tour.

He said that during his visit to Cuba in June, 2011, he held sincere, deep exchanges with President Raul Castro and added that the had very pleasant memories about the Cuban people's hospitality.

He recalled that in 1960 Cuba became the first country in the Western Hemisphere in establishing diplomatic relations with the new China, opening a new chapter in the development of Chinese-Cuban relations and in the relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Thanks to their develpopment for over half a century, the friendly relations between China and Cuba get increasingly mature with a constantly enriched bilateral cooperation, he said.

Xi asserted that the two countries advance together, joining efforts in the path of the construction of Socialism with their own characteristics; they support each other in issues of vital interest and maintain close collaboration in handling significant international and regional issues.

Xi said to be looking forward to meeting with Raul Castro and review experiences for the development of binational links and plan their future development together.

He said China and Latin America and the Caribbean have many opportunities ahead, as well as better conditions and more solid bases to further strengthening their links.