China Urges US to End Blockade, Coercion, and Pressure on Cuba

Beijing (ANTARA) - China has urged the United States to immediately end its blockade, coercion, and pressure on Cuba, said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while expressing full support for Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and resisting external interference. Mao Ning made the statement during a daily press conference on Monday, responding to a question regarding Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s recent warning that the US embargo against Cuba has brought pressure to an ‘unbearable’ level and amounts to ‘genocide’, and that Cuba has requested a special session of the United Nations General Assembly on 7 July. Mao said that the full blockade and illegal sanctions imposed by the US for more than 60 years have caused profound suffering for the Cuban people. Recently, the US has once again tightened its blockade and sanctions measures, dealing a heavy blow to the basic livelihoods of the Cuban people and raising concerns within the international community. China, as always, opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law, Mao said, adding that China urges the US to stop violating the Cuban people’s rights to survival and development. Emphasising that China firmly supports Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and opposing external interference, Mao said China is ready to work with other countries around the world to uphold international justice and equality.