After more than 50 years, the Cuban flag flies outside an embassy in the United States. What does the restoration of relations mean for both countries and beyond?

It was only last December when Cuba and the United States announced their intention to restore diplomatic relations. Fast forward to a hot Monday in July when, in a brief ceremony, one of the last vestiges of the Cold War fell as Cuba’s flag was raised above its embassy in Washington for the first time since 1961. A similar event is scheduled for next month in Havana when U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry travels to the island. The historic shift came quickly with both sides acknowledging that difficult issues still divide them. Later we’ll talk with a former Cuban diplomat and a member of the U.S. Congress.

CCTV’s Roee Ruttenberg filed this report from outside the Cuban embassy in Washington.

For more, The Heat spoke with following guests:

• Cuban broadcast journalist Cristina Escobar.
• Cuban diplomat and educator Carlos Alzugaray who joined The Heat from Havana.

The Heat also discussed U.S.-Cuba relations with U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee from outside the new Cuban embassy. Lee has been a member of the United States Congress since 1998. Also this September marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Cuba. Jia Xiudong also joined The Heat from Beijing. He’s a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.