UNITED NATIONS, United States — China used its address to the United Nations General Assembly to challenge US policies towards Iran and Cuba, days after Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping displayed warmer relations during a high-profile state visit in Washington.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng called on major powers to respect international law and said the sovereignty and security of countries in the Middle East, including those in the Gulf, should be protected.
Han did not name the United States during his speech on Saturday, September 26, 2026, but his references came amid the US war with Iran and Washington’s escalating pressure on Cuba.
“Major countries should have special responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security,” Han said, according to Reuters.
He said China believed the sovereignty and security of Middle Eastern countries, including Gulf states, should be respected.
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February, beginning a conflict that has since spread across the region.
During Xi’s visit to Washington this week, Trump warned the Chinese leader against providing direct or indirect assistance to Iran.
US Ambassador to China David Perdue said Trump received assurances that Beijing would not do so.
China has denied US allegations that it has helped Iran during the conflict.
China Calls for End to Pressure on Cuba
Han also criticised the campaign against Cuba, again avoiding a direct reference to the United States.
He urged the “relevant country” to end threats of force against Havana and completely lift what Beijing describes as the blockade and sanctions imposed on the island.
Washington has intensified pressure on Cuba under Trump, including measures that have sharply restricted oil shipments to the country.
Cuba’s ageing electrical system has suffered repeated failures amid severe fuel shortages, including a nationwide grid collapse earlier this month.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov echoed China’s position in a separate UN address on Saturday, calling for an end to US restrictions on Cuba and for Washington to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The Trump administration has defended its campaign as pressure on Cuba’s communist government.
Trump told the General Assembly earlier in the week that Cuba was a failed state and predicted political change on the island.
Sharp Contrast After Xi’s White House Welcome
Han’s remarks came one day after Xi concluded a three-day state visit to the United States marked by unusually elaborate displays of diplomatic warmth.
Trump welcomed Xi with military flyovers, hosted him at a White House state dinner, and accompanied the Chinese leader on a visit to the National Archives.
The two presidents described the relationship in positive terms and agreed to extend an existing trade truce for another two months.
But their meetings produced few major public breakthroughs on persistent disagreements including Taiwan, trade, artificial intelligence, and Iran.
Xi urged Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations over the Iran war, while Trump reiterated that Chinese support for Tehran would be unacceptable.
The contrasting appearances underscored the two tracks in the US-China relationship: personal diplomacy between Trump and Xi alongside continuing disagreements over some of the world’s most contentious security issues.
Han told the UN that China viewed countries of every size as equal members of the international community and said international affairs should be handled through consultation.
