China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has called on the United States to immediately end its economic blockade and pressure on Cuba, describing unilateral sanctions as inconsistent with international law.
Fu made the call on Tuesday during a United Nations General Assembly debate on the need to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba.
He said the US economic blockade and unilateral sanctions against Cuba had lasted for more than 60 years and continued to intensify, despite the General Assembly discussing the issue on 34 occasions.
Fu noted that relevant UN resolutions on ending the embargo remained unimplemented.
He stressed that all countries, regardless of their size, wealth or strength, were equal members of the international community and had the right to independently determine their political, social and economic development paths in accordance with their national circumstances.
“Cuba’s future and destiny must and can only be determined independently by the Cuban people,” Fu said, arguing that no country had the right to impose sanctions, force its will or development model on another nation.
He also warned against using military threats or judicial measures to exert pressure on Cuba.
According to Fu, unilateral sanctions not authorised by the UN Security Council lacked a basis in international law.
He further argued that using economic blockades to undermine other countries’ rights to survival and development violated international morality and the shared values of humanity.
Fu called on the international community to defend the right to development, promote international cooperation and safeguard human rights and dignity by addressing people’s aspirations for a better life.