Havana: China's President Hu Jintao was on a landmark visit to Cuba today, and was to meet with its leaders as part of efforts to boost ties with President Raul Castro.

The Chinese leader brought 4.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid for victims of three hurricanes that battered Cuba this year, which was handed over last night after Hu s arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport.

Receiving the gift, Cuba s Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Rodrigo Malmierca said that Cuba "deeply appreciates the visit of President Hu Jintao, at the exact moment the country is struggling to recover and continue its development."

It was the third donation China has made to assist Cuba in its recovery from hurricanes Gustav, Ike and Paloma, which caused 10 billion dollars worth of damages in the space of two months. Hurricane aid from the Chinese government and businesses has totalled more than 2.5 million dollars.

During his 36-hour visit, Hu plans to meet President Raul Castro and oversee the signing of cooperation deals, building on his first presidential visit to Cuba in 2004 -- also shortly after a US election -- when 16 such deals were inked.

It was unclear whether Hu would meet with former president Fidel Castro, who has met with several foreign leaders in recent months including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Hu arrived in Havana late Monday after attending the world economic crisis summit in Washington and making a stopover in Costa Rica, where he launched free-trade talks and a string of cooperation deals.
Source : PTI