China pushes back against US over UN speech

China responded critically to the United States' speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, emphasizing the sovereignty of Gulf nations and urging the relevant country to cease threats against Cuba and lift its blockade. Vice President Han Zheng refrained from naming the US in his remarks. The US has imposed economic sanctions on Cuba that have largely cut off oil supplies to the island.

Tensions between the US and Iran escalated following US-Israeli strikes in February. The Chinese vice president's comments starkly contrasted with the warm reception President Donald Trump extended to Chinese leader Xi Jinping earlier in the week, which included military flyovers and a state dinner. Han Zheng asserted that major countries have a duty to uphold the rule of law and do what is right.

China maintains that the sovereignty and security of Middle Eastern countries should be respected. During the Washington talks, the US ambassador to China reported that President Trump cautioned Xi against supporting Iran, and Xi assured him that China would not do so. Reports suggested that Beijing had provided Iran with shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers and that Tehran had devised methods to circumvent sanctions on its oil sales, facilitated by Chinese assistance.