China hits back at US over Iran and Cuba remarks at UN General Assembly
At the UN General Assembly, China rejected US pressure on Iran and Cuba, calling for respect of both countries' sovereignty.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly, under way this year, is being seen as significant for the world. In recent years, particularly since Donald Trump came to power in the United States and conservative thinking gained influence globally, the United States and Israel have increasingly downplayed the importance of the United Nations, according to the report. Both countries have also refused to recognise the International Criminal Court.
This was reflected at the session when representatives of several countries began walking out of the hall in protest as Benjamin Netanyahu spoke. Netanyahu, departing from the decorum of the platform, called those walking out cowardly and panicked. He also flatly rejected all the allegations made against Israel. He further laid out his vision of a Greater Israel before the prime minister of Syria. Trump, meanwhile, took a tough stance on Iran from the podium, saying in effect that the world would see Iran would not bow before the United States. In response, China adopted an equally sharp stance to maintain balance.
In his speech, Trump backed US military action against Iran and said that if no agreement was reached, even tougher action could be taken against Iran. In response, China said the Iran issue should be resolved through talks and diplomacy rather than military action. China has previously opposed unilateral US sanctions and military pressure with equal force, and has clearly objected to the idea that things must happen as the United States dictates.
In his speech, Trump also criticised Cuba's communist government and said the United States was trying to bring about a fundamental change in Cuba's situation. During this part of Trump's remarks, the Cuban delegation reportedly walked out of the hall.
In its speech, China openly opposed the role of unilateral pressure and interference in US foreign policy. China said that whether it is Iran or Cuba, the world should respect the sovereignty of the countries concerned and their right to make their own decisions, delivering a sharp counter to Trump.
China showed no restraint on this even though President Xi Jinping is currently on a visit to the United States. It is being said that China has once again clearly warned the United States over its allies Iran and Cuba, and this has brought differences between China and the United States over foreign policy sharply back into the open.
