Deals signed to help Castro's Cuba

China agreed to support Cuba's health system and economic development yesterday as the two countries signed eight deals designed to boost co-operation.

The signing of the deals was witnessed by President Hu Jintao and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, after talks in Beijing.

They include a line of credit to develop Cuba's health system and an interest-free loan to support economic development. The two countries also signed documents on co-operation in the agriculture and customs sectors. But details of the deals and the amount of the loans were not disclosed.

Castro arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day visit to Cuba's longtime ally.

His trip to China, the first since he succeeded his brother, Fidel, in 2008, is critical to Cuba as the country is implementing an economic reform plan that includes initiatives to let the private sector participate in its planned economy.

In his talks with Hu yesterday, Castro said he held the 'successful development experience of China' in high regard and Havana wanted to expand economic co-operation in trade, renewable energy and investment. 'Cuba-China ties have become mature and passed through historical tests,' he told Hu.

Addressing Castro as comrade, Hu said he appreciated Havana's effort to improve ties and vowed that the two countries would expand high-level exchanges, trade and investment, cultural exchanges and co-operation at the United Nations.