Cuban ambassador to China: B&R is a new way of globalization

Hello there. Welcome to China.org.cn ’s Belt and Road diplomatic views. Today, we have Mr. Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos, the Cuban ambassador to China, here to talk about his impressions of China’s “New Era,” the Belt and Road Initiative, poverty alleviation, and China-Cuba relations.

Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos,Cuban ambassador to China.

China.org.cn: Out of all the issues in the 19th CPC National Congress report, was there anything that stood out to you? Why?

Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos: I think the 19th Party Congress was a historic landmark not only for China, but for all the countries that follow a socialist path. In the case of Cuba we took a lot of references out of the congress and we believe that we can apply some of them according to our national features. I believe it was really relevant, and we could see the impact of the thought of “Socialism for a New Era” of President Xi Jinping, that has implications not only for China but for the whole world.

China.org.cn: What do you make of the “New Era” that China is trying to shift towards with its recent policies?

Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos: Well, the “New Era” already started five years ago, and it has been growing step by step. I believe the “New Era” is the consolidation of “Socialism with Chinese characteristics,” that will have a special impact in 2020 when poverty will be totally eradicated, or in 2049 when China will become a modern socialist country. So I believe there is a solid basis for development and we are at the right moment to start.

China.org.cn: In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Cuba. He stated that the two sides should extend their friendship, develop mutually beneficial win-win cooperation, and be partners in reform and development. In your opinion, under the new circumstances and following the principle of maintaining friendship and promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and Cuba, in what respects can the two countries further enhance communication and coordination, and promote the continuous development of China-Cuba relations?

Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos: The visit of President Xi Jinping to Cuba was indeed a historic visit. It was preceded by a previous visit by President Xi Jinping carried out in 2011 when he was Vice President. So it indicated a strong connection between the two countries. I believe, still that there are more areas in which we can enhance cooperation, particularly in the area of bio-technology, in the area of renewable energy, tourism, and others. I believe Cuba can contribute with strong advances in the area of bio-technology and at the same time obtain cooperation, technologies, and financing from China to develop a group of areas in our economy.

China.org.cn: The 19th CPC National Congress report indicates that China will continue to open up its borders and actively promote international cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative. In your opinion, what role could Cuba play within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative?

Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos: As you are aware, it was already some years ago, in 2013 when the idea of the new Silk Road was first raised, and in the last five years it has already consolidated very strongly.

From what we saw in the year 2017 there was an international event here and two ministers came for that event from the area of communication and the area of industry, indicating our willingness to be involved. Already we have some programs of cooperation in the area of information communication. And we believe, after the China-CELAC Forum that took place recently in Chile, that there are more opportunities for our region to integrate. As President Xi Jinping has said, our region is a natural extension of the Silk Road route and we believe we can take advantage of it.

I have to mention that, in the 16th and 17th century we had our own Silk Road that came from Fujian and Guangdong provinces through Philippines and then to Mexico, and from Mexico, all the cargo was carried out by mules through the country and then sent again to Spain from Cuba. We have been connected with this route for more than three centuries already, so it is very natural that we would like to reiterate, to update this connection that we have established with China for so many centuries. I believe that there are opportunities in the areas of infrastructures, logistics, ports, airports, and information communication.