China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech

China delivered a pointed rebuke of the United States during its address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, asserting that the sovereignty of nations in the Gulf region should be respected and urging the relevant country to cease threatening Cuba and lifting its blockade. Vice President Han Zheng refrained from naming the US directly in his remarks.

The United States has been engaged in a pressure campaign against Cuba, which has effectively cut off oil supplies to the island. The US's war on Iran began with US-Israeli strikes in February. Han's comments marked a stark contrast to the cordial atmosphere at the White House earlier in the week, where President Donald Trump greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping with military flyovers and a grand state dinner.

Han emphasized that major countries bear special responsibilities for maintaining international peace and security, urging them to abide by rules, uphold the rule of law, and act with integrity. China maintained that the sovereignty and security of Middle Eastern nations, including those in the Gulf region, should be respected.