DHAKA: Chinese president Xi Jinping visited Cuba on Tuesday to expand investment in the fellow communist nation, his last stop on a four-country Latin American charm offensive.

Cuba, the only one-party communist state in the Americas, began opening up its economy in 2008, but has not grown as much as hoped and could desperately use more Chinese investment.

Xi for his part has made a point during his tour of reaching out to countries often shunned by US and European investors, including Venezuela and Argentina as well as Cuba.

‘This visit will realize the aims of boosting friendship, deepening mutual trust, expanding cooperation and driving development, opening a new phase in the mutually beneficial, friendly cooperation between China and Cuba,’ said Xi after touching down Monday night in Havana, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2135 HRS, JUL 22, 2014