China

Chinese President in Cuba

Article published on the 2008-11-18 Latest update 2008-11-18 14:22 TU

People wait for the arrival of Hu Jintao in Havana
(Photo: Reuters)

Chinese exports to Latin American grew 52 per cent in the first nine months of 2008 to 111.5 billion dollars, according to China's state-run Xinhua new agency.

China was Cuba's second biggest trading partner in the region in 2007, after Venezuela, with 2.7 billion dollars of combined trade.

Current deals between the two countries include Chinese oil prospecting and extraction in Cuba and two Cuban eye hospitals in China with a third under construction.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has so far launched free-trade talks and a string of co-operation deals in Costa Rica and is due to attend an Asia Pacific summit in Peru.