China and Cuba hold agriculture talks as Beijing backs Havana amid US pressure
World

China and Cuba hold agriculture talks as Beijing backs Havana amid US pressure

Economy World



China and Cuba held talks on expanding agricultural cooperation in Beijing on Tuesday, the latest in a series of moves by Beijing to shore up support for the Caribbean island as Washington intensifies a campaign of sanctions, criminal indictments and military posturing against Havana.

Chinese Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Zhang Zhili met Cuban Deputy Agriculture Minister Telce Gonzalez to review joint projects and explore new areas of collaboration in the sector.

The Cuban embassy in China said both sides discussed opportunities to deepen ties as part of the construction of a “community of shared future” between the two countries, and described agriculture as a priority area in the bilateral relationship.

The meeting added a practical dimension to what has become an increasing Chinese effort to back Cuba at a moment of acute vulnerability for the island’s government.

Over the past week, Washington has moved against Havana on several fronts. On Thursday, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro over his alleged role in the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based exile group. The incident killed four people.

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The indictment, unsealed in Miami, included charges of conspiracy to kill US nationals and four counts of murder against the 94-year-old former president and younger brother of the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, and five co-defendants. It was the first time Washington had brought criminal charges against either of the Castro brothers.

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