Cuban Ambassador to Beijing, Carlos Miguel Pereira, presented the title to Lin Songtian, president of the Association of Chinese People's Friendship with Foreign Countries (Aapche)

Beijing, Nov 1 (RHC) On Tuesday, Cuba awarded the Order of Solidarity to the Association of Chinese People's Friendship with Foreign Countries (Aapche) in recognition of decades of exchanges that contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations.

Cuban Ambassador to Beijing, Carlos Miguel Pereira, presented the title to the president of that entity, Lin Songtian, and noted that this is the first institution of the Asian giant to receive it, as before only different personalities of the country deserved it.

"With this distinction, we reiterate our conviction to maintain in high priority the preservation of friendship and solidarity as an essential component of the links between our parties, peoples, and governments" stressed the diplomat.

Pereira indicated that the systematic and fluid contacts for years between the Aapche with its similar on the island, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), set the tone for the promotion of mutual knowledge.

He referred to the support of that organization in the fight against the U.S. economic, financial and commercial blockade, its donations to face the Covid-19 pandemic, and its support in the face of the fire at a supertanker base in Matanzas and the impact of Hurricane Ian.

For his part, Lin thanked the award and stressed that it shows recognition to the Aapche for its long-term commitment to friendly cooperation and is also an expectation of the Cuban Party, government, and people towards it.

He reviewed the interactions with the Cuban side in multiple scenarios and highlighted the close coordination between local governments, sister cities, and people's organizations in the process of the development of state relations.

"Considering today's awarding of the Order of Solidarity as a new opportunity and a new starting point, the Aapche will make tireless and joint efforts with ICAP, the Cuban-Chinese Friendship Association, and the Cuban Embassy in China, to implement (...) the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and countries," he added. (Source: PL)