BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Xu Caihou, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met here Monday with Raul Castro Ruz, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba.

    Xu said China and Cuba had maintained frequent high-level military exchanges for a long period and had conducted effective cooperation in personnel training.

    Raul Castro's visit would certainly inject "new vigor" to the relationship between the two armed forces, added Xu.

    Praising China for its stable society and booming economy, RaulCastro, also second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, saidCuba hoped to boost cooperation with China in all spheres, and described Cuba's relationship with China as "friendship between comrades".

    Xu, also a member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said China and Cuba, both socialist countries led by the communist parties, had followed socialist paths with characteristics of their own.

    The two sides, both faced with challenges of developing economyand improving people's living standards, had supported each other in building their countries and armed forces, and would continue to do so in the future, Xu said.

    Raul Castro arrived in Beijing Sunday on an official visit to China. It is his second visit to China since 1997. He also serves as first vice-president of the Council of State and first vice-president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba. Enditem