(Photograph by Bai Jie/Xinhua News Agency)

 

Mr. President,

At the outset, I'd like welcome the report of the Secretary General submitted under this agenda item. The Chinese delegation associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Yemen on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

For 18 consecutive years, the General Assembly has adopted resolutions by an overwhelming majority, urging all countries, in compliance with the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law, to repeal or invalidate all laws and measures with extraterritorial effect that compromise the sovereignty of other States, undermine the legitimate rights and interests of entities and individuals under the jurisdiction of those States, and affect freedom of trade and navigation.

Regrettably, however, those resolutions have not been effectively implemented over the years, and the economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba imposed by the country concerned is yet to be lifted. This constitutes a serious violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adversely affects the normal commercial and trade exchanges between Cuba and other countries, and impedes the operations of the agencies of the UN system in Cuba. What's more, it also seriously undermines the Cuban people's rights to survival and development.

The information collected from governments and international organizations in the report of the Secretary-General shows that the economic embargo against Cuba over the past year remained unchanged in substance, thus continuing to inflict enormous economic and financial losses on Cuba, which immeasurably constrained the efforts of the Cuban people to eradicate poverty, promote economic and social development, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

The international community is now faced with multiple serious challenges of the financial, food, and energy crises, as well as climate change, which makes the embargo and sanctions against Cuba all the more unreasonable.

Mr. President,

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. We are of the view that every sovereign State is entitled to independently choose its own suitable social system and path of development. No country has the right to unilaterally impose military, political, economic or other forms of sanctions on other countries. Experience shows that sanctions usually fail to achieve their expected results; on the contrary, they may end up victimizing civilians, in particular the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children.

In today's world, multilateralism and democratization of international relations have taken roots in people's hearts, while openness, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win progress have become the consensus of the international community. When disputes arise, dialogue on equal footing and friendly consultation represent the best path to the settlement. The Chinese Government has always maintained that countries should develop their relations in compliance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. It is always our hope that in State-to-State relations, dialogue will replace confrontation, and engagement and exchanges will replace embargo and sanctions. The Chinese Government urges the country concerned to terminate as soon as possible its economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba. In this connection, China will support the draft resolution submitted by Cuba under this agenda item.

Thank you, Mr. President.