Castro Calls Chinese Envoy To Wish Happy New Year
Ailing leader Fidel Castro called the Chinese ambassador in Havana to wish his president Hu Jintao a happy New Year.

The short story on the front page of the Communist Granma newspaper seemed aimed at ensuring Cubans and the world that Castro's recovery continues five months after he underwent emergency intestinal surgery.

Speculation about Castro's medical condition has been rife amid a lack of information from the communist government.

The last news in state media about Castro was a story published December 16 saying he made separate telephone calls to Cuban lawmakers and his friend and ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Castro, 80, has not been seen in public since several days before he announced on July 31 that he was temporarily stepping aside after an operation for intestinal surgery.

He has provisionally ceded his powers to his brother Raul, the 75-year-old defense minister.

Saturday's story said Castro called Chinese Ambassador Zhao Rongxian on Thursday evening, and they discussed relations between their countries. The ambassador also transmitted his president's wishes for Castro's speedy recovery.

The island's official media has not commented on a Spanish surgeon's declarations earlier this week that Castro did not have cancer and was slowly recovering from a serious operation.

Jose Luis Garcia Sabrido, chief surgeon at Madrid's Gregorio Maranon Hospital, said he flew to Havana on December 21 to see Castro and consult with the Cuban leader's medical team on how his treatment was progressing.

Castro's medical condition is a state secret, but Cuban authorities have denied he suffers from terminal cancer, as U.S. intelligence officials have claimed.

However, Cuban officials have stopped insisting Castro will return to power.

Garcia Sabrido said Castro could resume the presidency if his recovery is "absolute."

Some doctors believe Castro may suffer from diverticular disease, which can cause bleeding in the lower intestine, especially in people over 60. In severe cases, emergency surgery may be required.