Cuba and China sign several economic cooperation deals over the weekend

November 16, 8:08 AMSouth America Policy ExaminerSylvia Longmire

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(Image from Radio Nuevitas)

During a visit by a Chinese delegation to Cuba over the weekend, representatives from several companies in China’s Shandong province signed a host of economic cooperation agreements.

According to Radio Nuevitas, the mission was led by Yiang Yikang, and included members of the Central Committee of China Communist Party Secretariat from Shandong. They were received by Victor Gaute, a member of the secretariat of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC).

Among the documents signed are agreements involving the nickel industry, another for the purchase and sale of trucks, and a covenant for the donation of a latest-generation server to Cuba, reported the Cuban state-owned daily Granma.

Representatives from the two countries also signed agreements for the delivery of lamps for street lighting, refinery restoration, and reconstruction of fuel tanks.

Late last week, Cuba and China agreed to set up a joint venture in 2010 between the Haier Corporation and the Electronics Group (GE) of the Cuban Ministry of Informatics and Communications.

According to a separate Radio Nuevitas report, Elio Pacheco, director of GE, pointed out that this project will allow Cuba to reduce imports while boosting the capacity and quality of the local industry in technology and building processes.

Pacheco added that this new company will build electrical appliances, desktop computers, laptops and their spare parts and others like washing machines, air conditioners and lightning.

China has been investing heavily in Latin American economies in the last several years. Some observers are concerned that the communist country with a mostly market economy is attempting to counter U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere and garner favor in international organizations.

Recent analyses by government organizations and think tanks have tried to alleviate those concerns, saying China’s efforts are motivated by the need to diversify its economy and satisfy the needs of its growing population.