Beijing, March 31 (RHC)-- China's defense minister said he placed great value on relations with Cuba and pledged to support the growth of the Caribbean nation's military.

During an official state visit to Beijing this week, senior military officials from Cuba and China agreed to deepen military cooperation.

China's Defense Minister Chang Wanquan met with Cuba’s Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Leopoldo Cintra Frias, saying the Asian country placed great value on bilateral relations and will continue to support the growth of Cuba’s military.

For his part, Minister Cintra Frías reiterated that Cuba praises its traditional friendship with China and hopes to bring military cooperation to a new level.

This week's visit comes after last September's historic visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Cuba.

During that visit — the first ever by a Chinese prime minister — the two countries signed more than 30 agreements on economic cooperation.

China is currently Cuba's second-largest trading partner after Venezuela.