Beijing, September 14 (RHC) — A top Chinese diplomat said Wednesday that China hoped for a complete lifting of the US blockade against Cuba. 

Speaking one day after the U.S. government extended trade restrictions against Cuba for another 12 months, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Chao said China hoped that the United States would “completely remove the economic blockade imposed on Cuba as soon as possible and thus meet the aspirations of the international community." 

Wang spoke with journalists ahead of a visit to Cuba by Prime Minister Li Keqiang, a trip that he said it is expected to push bilateral contacts to higher levels as well as serve for the signing of a number of trade deals. 

"We have high expectations for this visit. We hope that it will help us to deepen coordination and to find ways to bring forward our bilateral relations," said the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister.