Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Cuban President Raul Castro attend a signing ceremony for bilateral documents in Havana, capital of Cuba, July 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

By Raidmundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Cuba is vital to China's ties with Latin America, as their historical partnership, political affinity and increasing economic cooperation serve as a model for other countries in the region, said a Cuban expert on international relations.

As the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1960, Cuba naturally became China's gateway to the region, said Eduardo Regalado Florido, head of the Asia Section of the International Policy Research Center in Havana.

"Over the years after the reform and opening up drive, Beijing has expanded its ties with the world, and at this new stage Latin America plays an important role," he said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's recent trip to Havana, the first official visit to Cuba by a Chinese premier in 56 years of ties, served to reaffirm the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

"Li's visit highlighted Cuba's role as a historical partner with which China shares political views and friendship," and underscored Cuba's "prestigious position in the region, due to its political leadership, and medical and educational programs," he said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds talks with Cuban President Raul Castro at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana, Cuba, Sept. 24, 2016. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Economic cooperation has increased substantially, with China poised to become Cuba's leading trade partner in the short term.

"Cuba has also learned from China's reform and opening up, as it strives to modernize its socialist model," he said.

Havana was instrumental in promoting the consensus reached in January 2015 between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and China, which aims to spur shared development through joint projects.

For Latin America, China has become a leading investor instead of merely a market for raw materials and a supplier of electronic goods, he said.

"China plays a greater role in Latin America than the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund. It has taken on the development of infrastructure and industries in many countries across the continent," he said.

China has shown that a socialist country can build a sustainable and prosperous society for its citizens, and assume global political leadership without ideological "impositions," he added.

"We are transitioning from a crushing U.S. domination to the first steps of a multipolar world led by Asia, specifically China," he said.