Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a statement to Prensa Latina saying that the persistence of the blockade is regrettable, although the international community has rejected it consecutively at the United Nations General Assembly for the last 29 years.

The official even deplored that the White House made it even worse and thus ignored the call to revoke the sanctions, regulations and the extraterritorial nature of the measure, which affects the sovereignty of other states, the legitimate interests of companies and individuals, and the right to freedom of commerce and navigation.

‘China always advocates respect for the right of each country to independently choose its social system and development path, defends the international order based on laws and safeguards justice,’ he said.

The spokesman emphasized Beijing’s rejection of unilateral sanctions, be they military, economic or of another nature, and urged the US government to end the blockade against Cuba, as it is a universal call. ‘We hope that the United States will develop normal interstate ties with Cuba in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms that govern international relations,’ he said.

Zhao also stressed that a change of position would be beneficial for peace and stability in the Americas.

The spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said this after the majority of the countries present at the UN General Assembly voted again yesterday to end the blockade on the island.

pgh/llp/mem/ymr