Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived in Havana Saturday evening, kicking off his official visit to Cuba.

Xi is paying the visit as a guest of Cuba's First Vice President of Council of State and Council of Ministers Jose Ramon Machado Ventura.

In a written statement delivered at the airport upon his arrival, Xi said Cuba is an important country in Latin America and Caribbean region. During the past half century, the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban government led the Cuban people to adopt a path suitable to its national conditions, safeguard the state sovereignty, promote socioeconomic development, actively carry out outward exchanges and make great achievements in all causes.

He also said the recently-concluded sixth national congress of the Communist Party of Cuba has blueprinted Cuba's future development and the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government hope the Cuban people to make greater accomplishments in the construction of socialist cause.

Cuba is the first Latin American country which forged diplomatic ties with China. "During the past 51 years after China and Cuban established diplomatic relations, bilateral ties withstood the changes in the international arena. The two people have always understood, supported and helped the other, nurturing a deep friendship," Xi said.

The long-lasting China-Cuba friendship meets the common aspiration of the two peoples, he said, adding that the goal of his trip is to expand consensus, enhance friendship and deepen cooperation for common development.

In Havana, Xi is scheduled to hold talks with Cuban leader Raul Castro. He will also make contacts with Cuban people from all walks of life.

Xi came to Cuba after concluding an official to Italy. He will also pay official visits to Uruguay and Chile after the Cuba trip.