国内英语新闻:China, Cuba to expand party exchanges

BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Liu Yunshan, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with a Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) delegation in Beijing Monday.

The delegation was led by Abelardo Alvarez Gil, a member of the Secretariat of the PCC Central Committee.

During the meeting, Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who died on Friday aged 90.

Liu lauded Fidel Castro's outstanding contribution to China-Cuba friendship.

Despite the distance keeping the two countries far apart, common ideals and beliefs bind them together, Liu said.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and Raul Castro, first secretary of the PCC Central Committee, have reached important consensus on deepening relations between the two parties and the two countries, Liu added.

The CPC is ready to work with the PCC to expand cooperation and deepen their sharing of experience on state governance in a bid to create a new prospect for China-Cuba friendship, Liu said.

Alvarez expressed appreciation at the deep condolences from the CPC and the Chinese people at the death of Fidel Castro.

He called on the PCC and the CPC to strengthen their sharing of experience on state governance and to ensure improved development of bilateral ties.

The Cuban delegation is visiting at the invitation of the CPC.