HAVANA, July 25 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping says his latest visit to Cuba is a "total success" and he is full of confidence in the future of bilateral cooperation.

Xi made the comments in a message published Friday on leading Cuban newspaper Granma in the wake of his state visit earlier this week to the island country, the last leg of his just concluded four-nation Latin America tour.

He recalled that he and Cuban leader Raul Castro "reviewed the successful experiences" in the development of China-Cuba relations and "outlined together the promising outlook of" the bilateral relationship.

They also reached "broad consensus" on bilateral cooperation, China-Latin America ties and other topics of mutual interest, according to the Chinese president.

"We resolved by mutual agreement to jointly open a new chapter of the friendly cooperation between China and Cuba for mutual benefit, with an eye on further developing the bilateral ties from this new historic starting point," he said.

"The friendly cooperation of mutual benefit between China and Cuba will yield even more fruitful results," said Xi.

Noting that the trip was his second to "the beautiful country of Cuba" in less than four years, Xi thanked his host and said he was "deeply moved" by the fact that Castro personally accompanied him during his visit.

Such attention "reflects not only the high importance Comrade President Castro attaches to our bilateral ties, but also the close fraternal friendship that unites the two sides," said Xi.

The Chinese president also expressed his "regards" and "best wishes" to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, on whom he paid a call during his stay in Havana.

Besides Cuba, Xi also visited Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela. While in Brazil, he attended the sixth summit of the emerging-market bloc of BRICS, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and a meeting with Latin American and Caribbean leaders.