China donates $100 million to Cuba to fight economic crisis

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Miguel Díaz-Canel in Beijing

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Ding Lin / AP

According to the government, Cuba will receive a donation from China of around 100 million US dollars (96 million euros).

That came out during talks between the Presidents of the two countries, Xi Jinping and Miguel Díaz-Canel, said Cuba's Economy Minister Alejandro Gil at the end of a visit to China, according to a statement from the Cuban Presidential Office.

The money will be spent on "priorities," explained Gil, who is also Prime Minister.

The delegation from the socialist Caribbean state, which also included Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, had previously visited Algeria, Russia and Turkey on the trip.

Due to US sanctions, the consequences of the corona pandemic and administrative problems, among other things, Cuba is in a deep economic crisis, which is also contributing to mass emigration.

Between October 2021 and September 2022 alone, more than 220,000 Cubans - about two percent of the island state's population - were apprehended at the border with Mexico, according to figures from the US border guard.

Outdated infrastructure

According to Gil, various possible Chinese investments in Cuba – including in the energy sector – were also discussed during the visit.

Due in part to an outdated infrastructure, Cuba does not produce enough electricity to meet demand.

There are regular power outages that last for hours.

According to Gil, the two heads of state also discussed the debt that Cuba has accumulated with China.

He did not provide information on the amount.

"We're looking at mutually acceptable formulas for planning and restructuring the debt," Gil said.

China is Cuba's second-largest trading partner after Venezuela and, along with Russia, is also a key political ally.

sak/dpa