A Chinese state-owned business group is visiting Cuba this week to explore investment and cooperation opportunities aimed at revitalizing the island’s sugar sector, official Cuban media reported this Thursday.

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The delegation from Guangxi Province’s Capital Operations Group, led by Deputy General Manager Zhang Anming, was welcomed by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who pointed out the “technological deterioration” affecting the sector—a decline caused by decades of economic sanctions and restrictions imposed by the United States.

The Head of State also highlighted the potential of the infrastructure, soil quality, and human resources available in the Largest of the Antilles to revive sugar production levels, emphasizing the crucial role played by the collaboration between the sugar agro-industry and Cuban universities.

Throughout their visit, which extends until Saturday, the Chinese mission will tour several sugar mills in the country’s central region to evaluate their potential and contribute to overcoming the challenges created by external pressures as the hostile U.S. blockade.

The text reads: “We appreciate the statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [#China], which calls on the U.S. government to immediately end the blockade against Cuba under any pretext, including its new measures aimed at obstructing our legitimate medical cooperation. [#EndTheBlockade] is a global demand.”

Granma newspaper emphasized that Guangxi—the home region of the Chinese business group—boasts extensive experience in sugarcane cultivation and processing.

Sugar was once the driving force of Cuba’s economy and its top export.

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