Recent Developments in Sino-Cuban Relations: Particularities and Advances

Cuba has maintained diplomatic relations with China for longer than with any other Latin American country, since 1960. For many years, these relations maintained a formal character and a largely cosmetic nature because of the influence that the Soviet Union had on the island and the problems between China and Russia. Today, the links between China and Cuba constitute one of the most important and dynamic relationships in Latin American and the Caribbean. China views the Cuban regime as a symbol of the Cold War and has demonstrated its intention to maintain open collaboration with the island. China's main trade policy in Latin America consists of providing capital in exchange for access to natural resources and an ensured consumer market for its cheap exports. To Cuba, China provides concessions, cheap lending, and humanitarian aid, illustrating a stronger bilateral relationship with Cuba than with other Latin American nations.