China has delivered 15,000 tonnes of rice to Cuba as part of a wider emergency food assistance programme aimed at easing shortages on the island, according to multiple international media reports.
The shipment arrived at the Port of Havana over the weekend and forms part of a larger Chinese commitment to provide 60,000 tonnes of rice to Cuba in stages.
According to the Belize-based news outlet Greater Belize Media the delivery comes as Cuba continues to struggle with severe food shortages and wider economic difficulties.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the donation as a “gesture of solidarity” from Beijing and said the rice would be distributed across all provinces, including the Isle of Youth municipality, as well as to schools and healthcare institutions.
Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Hua Xin said the shipment demonstrated the “fraternity and solidarity” between the two countries.
The latest delivery is the first installment of a broader emergency aid package approved earlier this year by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reports indicate the package also includes financial assistance and support for Cuba’s struggling energy sector.
Cuba has faced mounting economic pressure in recent years, with recurring blackouts, inflation and shortages of basic goods, including food and medicine. Rice remains a staple food across the island, but supply disruptions and dependence on imports have contributed to rising prices and irregular distribution.
International reports say the Cuban government has increasingly relied on support from allies such as China amid continuing US sanctions and a prolonged economic downturn.
Source: Greater Belize