China calls on US to end economic blockade of Cuba after protests
- Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian blames embargo for shortages of medicine and energy in the communist-run island
- Thousands took to the streets on Sunday in rare anti-government demonstrations amid economic crisis and surge in Covid-19 infections
China has called on the United States to end its economic embargo of Cuba and expressed support for the communist-run island that has seen its biggest anti-government protests in decades.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Tuesday said that “as the Cuban side has pointed out, the US embargo is the root cause of Cuba’s shortages of medicine and energy”. He noted that the Cuban leader had gone to see the protesters “and listened to the voices of the people”.
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Cuba sees largest anti-government protests in decades over coronavirus pandemic and economic woes
Zhao also cited a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in June calling for the end of the US blockade on Cuba, for the 29th year in a row, saying it “reflects the universal voice of the international community”.
“The United States should completely lift the embargo against Cuba and play a positive role for the Cuban people to overcome the impact of the epidemic,” Zhao said during a regular press briefing.
He said China believed that social stability could be maintained in Cuba under the strong leadership of its Communist Party and government.
Cuba is facing its worst economic crisis in 30 years as tourism and imports have fallen sharply amid the pandemic, while the worsening Covid-19 situation is stretching its health care system, with nearly 7,000 new cases and 47 deaths reported on Sunday.