Key facts
- China's Vice President Han Zheng called for respect for the sovereignty of Middle Eastern countries, including the Gulf.
- Han Zheng urged an unnamed country to stop threatening Cuba and lift its blockade and sanctions.
- The US has imposed a blockade on Cuba, worsening fuel shortages and leading to grid collapses.
- The US ambassador to China stated President Donald Trump warned Xi Jinping against supporting Iran.
- Reports suggest China supplied Iran with air-defense missile launchers and aided in evading oil sanctions.
During a speech at the UN General Assembly on Saturday, China's Vice President Han Zheng pushed back against US foreign policy, calling for respect for the sovereignty of countries in the Gulf and urging an end to threats and blockades against Cuba. Han did not name the United States in his remarks.
The US has been pressuring Cuba, largely blocking oil shipments to the island, which has exacerbated fuel shortages and led to frequent grid collapses. Cuba's aging power infrastructure has been strained for years, but a US-imposed oil blockade since January has worsened the situation.
In contrast to Han's statements, President Donald Trump had recently hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House for discussions. According to the US ambassador to China, Trump warned Xi against providing support to Iran during these talks. These warnings followed reports that China had supplied Iran with shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers and had assisted Tehran in evading oil sanctions.