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Castro resumes official business Castro resumes official business
(about 5 hours later)
Cuba's Fidel Castro has held talks with a top delegate from China in what is thought to be his first official act since his illness last year.Cuba's Fidel Castro has held talks with a top delegate from China in what is thought to be his first official act since his illness last year.
Mr Castro - who has handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul - has appeared to play a greater role in Cuba over the last few weeks.Mr Castro - who has handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raul - has appeared to play a greater role in Cuba over the last few weeks.
During the meeting with Wu Guanzheng, Mr Castro was handed a letter from Chinese President Hu Jintao. The Communist Party newspaper Granma said the talks were "fruitful".
Mr Hu reportedly praised the "excellent ties" between the two countries. Its website also carried a photograph of Mr Castro, standing and shaking hands with the Chinese delegation.
Trade ties The latest pictures published by Cuban official media also show him talking and apparently taking notes during Friday's meeting.
In 2006 China became the country's second largest trading partner with trade between the two nations worth some $1.8m (1.4m euros; £0.94m) last year. The latest photographs show a much stronger Fidel Castro
Mr Castro's health came under close scrutiny after he had stomach surgery last July. Mr Castro's health, which remains a state secret, came under close scrutiny by international media after he had stomach surgery last July.
But his ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, recently said Mr Castro was "almost totally recovered". The Cuban president has not been seen in public since then but his ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, has been giving regular updates on his condition and recently said Mr Castro was "almost totally recovered".
Mr Castro held talks for about an hour with Wu Guanzheng, a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo, Granma reported.
Mr Castro was handed a letter from Chinese President Hu Jintao, in which he praised the "excellent ties" between the two countries, the newspaper said.
In 2006 China became the country's second largest trading partner, with trade between the two nations worth some $1.8m (1.4m euros; £0.94m) last year.
Mr Wu is on a four-day visit to boost political and trade ties between the two communist allies.Mr Wu is on a four-day visit to boost political and trade ties between the two communist allies.
After his meeting with Mr Castro, Mr Wu also held talks with Raul Castro.After his meeting with Mr Castro, Mr Wu also held talks with Raul Castro.