China voices support for Cuba as Cuban foreign minister visits Beijing

BEIJING, Feb 5 (Reuters) - China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and "opposes unwarranted interference by external forces," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Cuban counterpart in Beijing on Thursday.

"We are willing to ... continue to provide support and assistance to the best of our ability," Wang told Cuba's Bruno Rodriguez, who was in China as a special envoy, according to a statement by China's foreign ministry.

Beijing has voiced support for the island nation after tensions flared last month between the U.S. and Cuba following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, long a close ally of Cuba.