China hopes to see continued U.S. efforts to improve ties with Cuba

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday welcomed the U.S. lifting of travel and remittance restrictions on Cuban Americans and voiced its hope to see continued U.S. efforts to improve its relations with Cuba.

The statement came as Zhang Yesui, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, was taking the floor at the General Assembly, which voted overwhelmingly to call for an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba.

"We have noted that, in April this year, the U.S. government lifted travel and remittance restrictions on Cuban Americans," Zhang said. "We welcome this move and hope that the United States will continue to improve its relations with Cuba, and promote normal exchanges between peoples of the two countries."

"The Chinese government always maintains that countries should develop their relations in compliance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It is always our hope that there will be dialogue rather than confrontation, and engagement and exchanges rather than embargo and sanctions in state-to-state relations," he said. "In this connection, the Chinese Government hopes that the country concerned will lift its economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba at an early date. China supports the draft resolution submitted by Cuba under the current agenda item."

"China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and is committed to developing friendly relations with all countries on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence," he said. "We are of the view that every sovereign state is entitled to independently choose a suitable social system and path of development for itself."

"No country has the right to unilaterally impose military, political, economic or other forms of sanctions on other countries," he said. "Experience shows that sanctions usually fail to achieve their expected results, and on the contrary, they may end up bringing damage to civilians, especially the most vulnerable groups such as women and children."