BEIJING -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has held talks with a visiting special envoy from the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in Beijing.

Song Tao, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, held talks on Sunday with Salvador Valdes Mesa, special envoy of First Secretary of the PCC Central Committee Raul Castro.

Valdes is also a member of the Politburo of the PCC Central Committee and Vice President of the Council of State.

Both sides agreed to strengthen ties between two parties, implement the guiding function of inter-party relations between two countries, boost practical cooperation in various fields, and benefit both peoples.

Prior to his Beijing trip, Valdes made a visit to China's eastern city of Shanghai.