HAVANA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Friendship Medal conferred Sunday on Raul Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), is a source of pride for everyone on the island, a Cuban official told Xinhua.

From left to right, the Medal of the Republic, Friendship Medal and Medal for the recipients of National Honorary Title. (Photo: China Plus)

"For all of us, for the Cuban people, for our party and government, (it) is a source of pride to hear about this decision made by the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the state and the Chinese government," said Victor Gaute, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the PCC.

Gaute, also chief of the ruling party's ideological department, said that the award is a token of affection, respect and admiration for Raul Castro's exemplary work and life.

"We all have to feel included, because it also symbolizes (a recognition of) the struggle of our people and the results we have achieved in the construction of our socialism," Gaute said.

Raul Castro, also a former Cuban president, is one of the six foreign figures awarded with the medal for their great contributions to supporting China's socialist modernization, promoting exchanges and cooperation with China and safeguarding world peace.

The other awardees are Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Tanzania's Salim Ahmed Salim, Russia's Galina Kulikova, France's Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Canada's Isabel Crook.

Cuban sinologist Jose Luis Robaina said that it is a source of pride for all Cubans that Castro's merits are recognized on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), which falls on Tuesday.

On Sept. 28, 1960, Cuba became the first Latin American country to forge diplomatic ties with the PRC.