China pushes back against the United States at the UN General Assembly, with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng calling for respect for national sovereignty in the Middle East and urging action regarding Iran and Cuba. In his Saturday remarks, Han says the sovereignty and security of countries in the Gulf should be respected and calls on the “relevant country” to stop threatening Cuba and lift its blockade.
Han’s comments do not name the US directly. Several outlets frame the speech as a veiled criticism of Washington’s policies, including pressure on Cuba and actions related to Iran. They also note the timing against the backdrop of recent US-China engagement at the White House earlier in the week, where the leaders met and held high-profile ceremonial events.
While all accounts agree on the core message—sovereignty in the Gulf, no threats to Cuba, and an end to the blockade—outlets differ slightly in emphasis. Some describe it as a response to US policy broadly, while others highlight China’s positioning as a defender of developing nations and international cooperation.
