China urges US to end Cuba blockade after UN General Assembly vote
In short
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on 29 October that China will keep supporting Cuba and again urged the United States to stop its blockade and sanctions. He was responding to a question about the 81st UN General Assembly adopting a draft resolution on 28 October local time calling for an end to the US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the US blockade of Cuba at the ministry's regular press conference on 29 October. A reporter asked for China's comment on the 81st UN General Assembly adopting, on 28 October local time, a draft resolution titled "The necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba". [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Guo said the US economic blockade and unilateral economic sanctions on Cuba, which he called illegal, have lasted 64 years and brought deep suffering to the Cuban people. He said the General Assembly has passed a resolution to end the blockade by an overwhelming majority 34 times in a row since 1992. In his words, this reflects the strong indignation of the great majority of countries at the US seriously violating the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Guo said China will keep firmly supporting Cuba's just struggle to defend its sovereignty and national dignity and to oppose outside interference and blockade. He again urged the US to listen to the just calls of the international community, stop the blockade and sanctions on Cuba immediately, and stop coercing or pressuring Cuba by force or any other means. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Yicai and CLS reported the remarks, citing CCTV News. China News Service published the full answer and a second item headlined that China again urged the US to stop the blockade and sanctions on Cuba immediately. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The remarks set out Beijing's official position on the US measures against Cuba and on the General Assembly vote. The documents give no US response and no vote figures.
Key facts
- The 81st UN General Assembly adopted a draft resolution on 28 October, local time, titled "The necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba", according to the reporter's question at the briefing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Guo Jiakun said the US economic blockade and unilateral sanctions on Cuba have lasted 64 years and brought deep suffering to the Cuban people. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Guo said the General Assembly has passed a resolution to end the blockade by an overwhelming majority 34 times in a row since 1992. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Guo said China will keep firmly supporting Cuba's struggle to defend its sovereignty and national dignity and to oppose outside interference and blockade. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Guo urged the US to listen to the international community, stop the blockade and sanctions immediately, and stop coercing or pressuring Cuba by force or any other means. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The vote count on the General Assembly resolution The documents describe the resolution only as passed and give no tally or list of countries voting for or against.
- Any US response None of the documents reports a reaction from the United States.