China's top national advisor Jia Qinglin said in Havana that China will continue to follow the principle of seeking long-term friendship with Cuba.

Jia made the pledge Saturday when meeting with Raul Castro Ruz, first vice president of the Cuban Council of State and of the Council of Ministers.

China and Cuba, though in different continents, have formed a profound friendship during their exchanges by treating each other sincerely and sharing weal and woe, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Jia said the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government attach great importance to Sino-Cuban relations and will stick to the principle of seeking long-term friendship with Cuba.

China and Cuba have boosted their political trust and expanded fields of cooperation in recent years, Jia said, noting that President Hu Jintao's visit to Cuba in November last year has strongly pushed the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries toward all-round development.

China appreciates and thanks Cuba's consistent and resolute support to China on issues such as the Taiwan question in which China's fundamental interests lie, Jia said.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba, Jia said, pledging that China will take this opportunity to implement the common understanding reached by leaders of the two countries and to push forward the cooperative ties.

During the meeting, Castro said Cuba will adhere to its one-China policy and continue to oppose "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities.

Describing Cuba and China as good friends, the Cuban leader said the two share broad common interests and are being faced with the same task of development.

At present, the two countries have had frequent high-level exchanges of visits, enjoy close political relations and are maintaining a good momentum in economic and trade cooperation, he said.

The consensus reached between President Hu and Cuban President Fidel Castro last year has pushed the bilateral friendly cooperation to a new high, he said.

He promised that Cuba will treat Cuba-China relations from a strategic perspective and further strengthen the ties in all areas.

Jia arrived in the Cuban capital Thursday for a four-day official goodwill visit to the Caribbean country at the invitation of Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada, president of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2005)