Chinese Vice President Han Zheng used an address at the United Nations General Assembly on July 26, 2026, to criticize U.S. foreign policy, demanding an end to the blockade against Cuba and calling for respect for sovereignty in the Gulf region. While Han did not mention the United States by name during his remarks, according to Reuters reporting, the statements signal sharp diplomatic friction just days after a high-profile reception in Washington.
China Challenges U.S. Policy on Cuba and the Gulf
Han used his platform at the UN to position Beijing as a defender of developing nations and a vocal critic of unilateral pressure campaigns. “China urges related countries to immediately stop using the threat of force against Cuba and immediately and fully lift the blockade and sanctions against Cuba,” Han stated during the assembly.
The rebuke follows severe infrastructure failures in Cuba, where a total grid collapse left millions without power earlier in the month. The island’s aging generation facilities have struggled under chronic fuel shortages, compounded heavily by a U.S. oil blockade that has tightened since January and largely restricted shipments to the island nation.
Turning to the Middle East, Han emphasized that regional sovereignty must remain paramount. “China views that the sovereignty and security of countries in the Middle East, including the Gulf countries, should be respected,” Han said, adding that major powers bear a special responsibility to maintain international peace and uphold the rule of law.
Diplomatic Tensions Follow White House Summit
The pointed UN remarks contrast sharply with the amicable atmosphere in Washington earlier in the week, when U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state dinner featuring a military aircraft flyover. Despite the diplomatic pageantry, underlying geopolitical disputes remain unresolved, particularly concerning Beijing’s relationship with Iran.
Ahead of the UN speeches, President Trump warned Xi against offering material support to Iran during bilateral talks, according to statements from the U.S. Ambassador to China on Friday. Washington issued the warning following reports indicating that Beijing had supplied Iran with shoulder-fired air defense missile launchers and helped Tehran bypass oil sanctions.
The U.S. military campaign against Iran initiated a broader conflict in the region following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in February. Against this backdrop, Han reiterated Beijing’s preference for multilateralism on the global stage. “China holds that all countries, big or small, have an equal standing as members of the international community and world affairs should be handled by all parties through consultation,” Han said.