The 41st Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2025, demonstrates the sustained cooperation between China and Cuba, consolidating historical relations and opening new opportunities.
China's participation in the 41st Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2025, demonstrates a key idea: relations between the two countries are in a new stage, based on the strength of 65 years of diplomatic ties.
"The year 2025 has been pivotal for the ties between both nations," said Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment in Cuba, at the opening of the day dedicated to the Asian giant at the Fair, on November 25.
A day full of symbolism, in which the Chinese ambassador Hua Xin evoked the figure of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, on the ninth anniversary of his death, and remembered him as the founder and promoter of bilateral ties.
Building symbolic bridges between history and the future, Hua emphasized the Asian giant's willingness to work "hand in hand with our Cuban comrades" to continue Fidel's valuable legacy and boost relations between the two nations.
That friendship, described by President Xi Jinping as "iron," was present at the main trade fair in the Caribbean, and distinguished a morning that included a tour of almost twenty stands of companies from the Asian giant.
THE PATH TRAVELED
Just stepping into the pavilion reveals that the relationship between the two countries also translates into products and services that have been a part of Cuban life for decades. Household appliances, food, automobiles, and Yutong buses are just some examples of products that have become part of the Cuban landscape and are featured at this year's Fihav.
Pérez-Oliva referred to them when he stated that the largest of the Antilles "is privileged to have the participation of Chinese companies, most of them with long-standing ties to our country and an uninterrupted presence at this major trade event, which is especially relevant given that China has been our second largest trading partner for almost 20 years."
An exchange that is expressed in individual stories, such as that of Jimmy Dong, general manager of the Liaoning Mec Group office in Cuba, an entity that has been present in our country for almost 30 years.
For him, the Cuban market is important because of its size and the qualities of its people: "Cubans are kind, intelligent, and hardworking. That has allowed us to maintain such a long relationship."
In these nearly three decades, they have led projects in the food and industrial sectors. "We are the second Chinese company to have a branch in Cuba," he states proudly, and recalls that during this period they have worked with numerous importing entities and supplied equipment to different sectors.
Liaoning Mec Group, which takes its name from one of the provinces of the Asian giant, has also been the supplier of household appliances that have reached the homes of Cubans.
Based on their experiences and those of other organizations that have maintained and strengthened their presence in Cuba, new goals are being set for the exchange between the two countries.
TOWARDS NEW GOALS
At the opening ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment acknowledged the participation of Chinese companies in strategic projects associated with the development of renewable energies in Cuba, particularly photovoltaic solar energy.
He explained that in 2025, the establishment of almost a dozen new businesses stands out in sectors such as mining, oil production, tourism, wholesale and retail trade.
These agreements, he stated, "demonstrate that there is potential for China to also become a major investor in Cuba."
As one of the leading trade fairs in the region, Fihav offers the opportunity for direct presence and exchange, and to create new pathways that boost ties.
In this regard, the Chinese ambassador expressed his hope that "companies from both countries will make the most of this platform to intensify information exchange, explore cooperation potential, and share development opportunities, thereby boosting economic and trade cooperation."
The links between the two countries have strengthened and diversified, from large industrial projects and the supply of various types of products to supporting new economic actors that have emerged in recent years.
Thus, between renewable energies, productions based on scientific and technical advances and the exploration of new alternatives, a path continues to be forged, the result of consensus at the highest level.
“We were here, we are here, we will be here. Always,” says Jimmy. His statement, more than a personal anecdote, sums up the spirit that has sustained six decades of ties between Cuba and China: a relationship that endures, adapts, and continues to find ways to grow.
rainpizza in cuba
China at the 41st Havana International Fair 2025: continuity and new projects
https://www.granma.cu/diarios-de-navegacion/2025-11-28/china-en-fihav-2025-continuidad-y-nuevos-proyectosThe 41st Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2025, demonstrates the sustained cooperation between China and Cuba, consolidating historical relations and opening new opportunities.
China's participation in the 41st Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2025, demonstrates a key idea: relations between the two countries are in a new stage, based on the strength of 65 years of diplomatic ties.
"The year 2025 has been pivotal for the ties between both nations," said Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment in Cuba, at the opening of the day dedicated to the Asian giant at the Fair, on November 25.
A day full of symbolism, in which the Chinese ambassador Hua Xin evoked the figure of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, on the ninth anniversary of his death, and remembered him as the founder and promoter of bilateral ties.
Building symbolic bridges between history and the future, Hua emphasized the Asian giant's willingness to work "hand in hand with our Cuban comrades" to continue Fidel's valuable legacy and boost relations between the two nations.
That friendship, described by President Xi Jinping as "iron," was present at the main trade fair in the Caribbean, and distinguished a morning that included a tour of almost twenty stands of companies from the Asian giant.
THE PATH TRAVELED
Just stepping into the pavilion reveals that the relationship between the two countries also translates into products and services that have been a part of Cuban life for decades. Household appliances, food, automobiles, and Yutong buses are just some examples of products that have become part of the Cuban landscape and are featured at this year's Fihav.
Pérez-Oliva referred to them when he stated that the largest of the Antilles "is privileged to have the participation of Chinese companies, most of them with long-standing ties to our country and an uninterrupted presence at this major trade event, which is especially relevant given that China has been our second largest trading partner for almost 20 years."
An exchange that is expressed in individual stories, such as that of Jimmy Dong, general manager of the Liaoning Mec Group office in Cuba, an entity that has been present in our country for almost 30 years.
For him, the Cuban market is important because of its size and the qualities of its people: "Cubans are kind, intelligent, and hardworking. That has allowed us to maintain such a long relationship."
In these nearly three decades, they have led projects in the food and industrial sectors. "We are the second Chinese company to have a branch in Cuba," he states proudly, and recalls that during this period they have worked with numerous importing entities and supplied equipment to different sectors.
Liaoning Mec Group, which takes its name from one of the provinces of the Asian giant, has also been the supplier of household appliances that have reached the homes of Cubans.
Based on their experiences and those of other organizations that have maintained and strengthened their presence in Cuba, new goals are being set for the exchange between the two countries.
TOWARDS NEW GOALS
At the opening ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment acknowledged the participation of Chinese companies in strategic projects associated with the development of renewable energies in Cuba, particularly photovoltaic solar energy.
He explained that in 2025, the establishment of almost a dozen new businesses stands out in sectors such as mining, oil production, tourism, wholesale and retail trade.
These agreements, he stated, "demonstrate that there is potential for China to also become a major investor in Cuba."
As one of the leading trade fairs in the region, Fihav offers the opportunity for direct presence and exchange, and to create new pathways that boost ties.
In this regard, the Chinese ambassador expressed his hope that "companies from both countries will make the most of this platform to intensify information exchange, explore cooperation potential, and share development opportunities, thereby boosting economic and trade cooperation."
The links between the two countries have strengthened and diversified, from large industrial projects and the supply of various types of products to supporting new economic actors that have emerged in recent years.
Thus, between renewable energies, productions based on scientific and technical advances and the exploration of new alternatives, a path continues to be forged, the result of consensus at the highest level.
“We were here, we are here, we will be here. Always,” says Jimmy. His statement, more than a personal anecdote, sums up the spirit that has sustained six decades of ties between Cuba and China: a relationship that endures, adapts, and continues to find ways to grow.