This past Thursday, Vice Prime Minister Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga led a ceremony at the Haiphong terminal of Havana's port to receive the third shipment of 15,000 tons of rice, gifted by the Chinese government. This delivery was strategically timed by both the Cuban regime and Beijing to coincide with the centennial of Fidel Castro's birth.
Present at the event were the Minister of Domestic Trade, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, and China's Ambassador to Cuba, Hua Xin. Hua Xin linked the rice shipment to the commemorative date through a post on the social media platform X: "The best tribute to the Commander in Chief is our solidarity. Always towards victory!"
This shipment is the third installment of a 60,000-ton rice donation that Beijing promised to Havana at the beginning of 2026, divided into four batches of 15,000 tons each.
The initial shipment reached Havana in the spring of this year; the second arrived at Santiago de Cuba's port in late June, and the third has just landed in the capital this Thursday.
Strengthening Ties Through Cooperation
According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX), "this donation reaffirms the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation that China and Cuba share, foundations laid and promoted by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz."
Beyond rice, the aid package approved by China early in 2026 also included $80 million for electrical equipment and other urgent needs, given the severe energy and food crisis plaguing the island.
Bilateral cooperation has intensified throughout the year. Just six days before this ceremony, China provided a second batch of 5,000 photovoltaic systems destined for isolated rural homes, healthcare centers, nurseries, and bank branches across Cuba's 169 municipalities.
Challenges Amid International Support
Ambassador Hua Xin has repeatedly expressed Beijing's support for Havana in the face of U.S. sanctions, and the Cuban regime touts this cooperation as proof of international solidarity with the island.
However, the scale of Chinese aid also underscores the depth of Cuba's structural crisis: decades of economic mismanagement have left the country unable to secure basic food supplies for its population independently.
The first shipment of the 60,000-ton donation was intended to benefit 9.6 million consumers across all provinces and the Isle of Youth, according to official figures that lack independent verification.
Including a previous donation of 30,000 tons, China's total rice commitment to Cuba has reached 90,000 tons so far in 2026, according to statements from Ambassador Hua Xin.
As reported by MINCEX, the fourth and final shipment to complete the 60,000-ton donation is scheduled to arrive in Cuba by September.
FAQs on China's Assistance to Cuba
What is the total amount of rice donated by China to Cuba in 2026?
China has committed a total of 90,000 tons of rice to Cuba in 2026, including a previous donation of 30,000 tons and a current commitment of 60,000 tons.
What other types of aid has China provided to Cuba besides rice?
In addition to rice, China has provided $80 million for electrical equipment and 5,000 photovoltaic systems for rural homes, healthcare centers, nurseries, and banks across Cuba.
How does China’s aid highlight Cuba's economic issues?
The extensive aid from China highlights Cuba's inability to independently provide basic necessities for its population, a result of decades of economic mismanagement.