Photo taken on Oct. 30, 2019 reveals the trendy Chinese-built floating dry dock delivered to Cuba in Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)

by Xinhua writers Lu Youyi, Wu Xiaoying

CHENGDU/BEIJING, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) — “I sincerely hope that cooperation between China and Cuba in various fields, including science and technology, will continue to deepen in the new era for the greater benefit of the peoples of both countries,” stated Chinese President Xi Jinping in his latest reply to a letter from Pedro A. Valdes Sosa, a famend Cuban scientist.

In his letter to President Xi, the 73-year-old scholar, who has lived and labored in China for a few years, introduced the achievements of his staff in advancing mind science analysis and neurological know-how cooperation in China. He additionally expressed his willingness to additional contribute to strengthening China-Cuba friendship and to broaden the apply of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) the world over.

Upon receiving Xi’s letter, the scientist advised Xinhua that he was tremendously inspired and stays dedicated to working diligently to advertise cooperation between Cuba and China to “turn the beautiful vision outlined by President Xi into reality.”

This picture taken on Oct. 17, 2023 reveals a ornament for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation close to the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

“AN INNOVATION IN HUMAN HISTORY”

Sosa has intently adopted the Group of 77 and China Summit held within the Cuban capital Havana in September and the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in October, saying each occasions witnessed high-level exchanges and cooperation between China and Latin America.

He stated the first function of his letter to President Xi was to convey his admiration and specific his unwavering willpower and confidence in persevering with to take part in China-Cuban cooperation.

In his reply, President Xi emphasised that this 12 months marks the tenth anniversary of his proposal of the BRI. The important basis and perspective of this initiative lie in exploring new methods for distant nations and shut neighbors to attain widespread improvement, laying the groundwork for a “path of happiness” that advantages all nations and the world.

Sosa stated the Belt and Road cooperation represents an “innovation in human history,” “no one is as dedicated as President Xi to exerting such extensive efforts to advance the collective development of all countries.”

A practice made up solely by Chinese wagons departs from Havana Central Railway Station in Havana, Cuba, July 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanjun)

“IMPORTANT MOMENT IN MY LIFE”

In his letter, President Xi highlighted Sosa’s long-standing dedication to strengthening the particular pleasant relations between Cuba and China, actively selling scientific analysis cooperation, and making vital breakthroughs.

Sosa stated that receiving President Xi’s letter marked one of many three most pivotal moments in his life.

“The first moment is that my parents told me when I was a child that one’s greatest mission in life was to serve humanity,” he stated. The second is when he as soon as acquired a telephone name from chief of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro encouraging him to diligently work on creating new applied sciences for diagnosing mind ailments in order to higher serve the folks of Cuba and Latin America.

“The third significant moment is receiving a letter from President Xi. My parents charted the course for my life, and Castro strengthened my conviction. President Xi has shown me the potential of conducting scientific research for the benefit of humanity on a broader scale through the Belt and Road cooperation,” Sosa stated.

In his reply, President Xi famous that worldwide scientific and technological cooperation is a prevailing world pattern. He emphasised the necessity for all nations to collectively advance the reason for world peace and improvement via scientific and technological innovation.

Sosa deeply resonated with this angle. “Peace and development are the aspirations of scientists. Only by enabling scientists to collaborate and facilitating global communication can we drive human progress,” he stated.

Since taking his put up on the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, the analysis staff led by Sosa has made a collection of achievements in neural circuit info transmission throughout the mind, brain-computer interplay, and monitoring Parkinson’s illness.

Under his management, the college has engaged in scientific and technological cooperation with McGill University in Canada and the Cuban Neuroscience Center. The three nations have collectively initiated a challenge on mind science cooperation to share associated knowledge, info, and analysis outcomes, garnering participation from greater than 20 international locations and areas to this point.

A employees member checks donated tools from China at Cuba’s National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) in Havana, Cuba, April 18, 2023. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)

BRIDGE OVER SEAS AND CONTINENTS

In his letter, President Xi spoke extremely of the longstanding friendship cast by the earlier generations of leaders from China and Cuba. He famous that this friendship has continued to yield constructive outcomes. Since final 12 months, either side have reached a major consensus on working collectively to construct a neighborhood with a shared future between China and Cuba.

“The deep-rooted traditional friendship between Cuba and China has resulted in fruitful cooperation across various domains. For example, in the healthcare sector, the two nations maintain a close collaboration, with many of China’s scientific research achievements being introduced to Cuba for the benefit of the local population,” Sosa stated.

Deeply rooted in China, Sosa has witnessed China’s fast improvement, particularly its outstanding progress in scientific analysis capabilities. Along the way in which, he has cultivated real friendships in China. In 2017, Sosa was honored with the Chinese Government Friendship Award. In 2019, he acquired an invite to attend the grand National Day celebration ceremony in Beijing.

During his go to to Latin America in 2014, President Xi launched a brand new “1+3+6” framework for cooperation between China and Latin America, with scientific and technological innovation as one in every of its cornerstones. In latest years, the mechanism for scientific and technological innovation cooperation between China and Latin America has seen steady enchancment. Diversified collaboration has injected highly effective vitality into constructing a neighborhood with a shared future for China and Latin America.

The Espacio Lejano Station, a joint challenge by China and Argentina, has performed an important position in missions comparable to “Chang’e-4” and “Tianwen-1.” The Earth assets satellite tv for pc, developed collectively by China and Brazil, has expanded the avenues for space-related cooperation between the 2 nations. The institution of a sustainable meals innovation middle between China and Latin America has been accelerated.

These examples depict unwavering cooperation between China and Latin America, and the constructive outcomes benefiting all folks.

Currently, the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China is actively advancing the institution of a joint laboratory beneath the BRI, which can function an important platform for scientific and technological innovation cooperation with Cuba.

“While the laboratory is rooted in cooperation between Cuba and China, it is open to the entire world,” Sosa stated.  ■