China on Monday vowed to be a firm partner for Cuba, as President Xi Jinping met a special envoy sent by Cuban leader Raul Castro.

Xi met Salvador Valdes Mesa, the special envoy, at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.

Valdes, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), was in Beijing to brief the Chinese on the Cuban Party's seventh congress.

Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, congratulated Cuba on the congress and asked Valdes to convey his greetings to comrades Fidel Castro and Raul Castro.

The president said China is happy with Cuba's achievements over the past more than 50 years, adding he believed that the Cuban people will achieve even more in the socialist cause under the leadership of the new PCC Central Committee with Raul Castro as first secretary.

Xi said the relationship between China and Cuba withstood the test of changes in the international arena and that the two socialist countries led by communist parties share a common ideal and bear deep affection for each other.

Recalling his state visit to Cuba two years ago, Xi said he hopes the two sides will cement their friendship and boost cooperation.

Valdes said Cuba cherishes the friendship with China and that Cuba's new leadership attaches great importance to the ties between the two parties as well as the two countries.

Cuba looks forward to closer exchanges on governance and practical cooperation, he said.