The United States should lift its decades-long unilateral economic and trade embargo against Cuba, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.
Lin made the remarks when commenting on Cuba's recent energy crisis believed to be mainly caused by the U.S. embargo and financial persecution , which have left the the Caribbean country without access to oil sources.
"The U.S. blockade of Cuba has wreaked havoc on Cuba's socioeconomic development and people's life. China once again calls on the U.S. to follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms of international law, fully lift the blockade and sanctions on Cuba as soon as possible, and remove Cuba from the list of 'state sponsors of terrorism.' This is in the interests of both the U.S. and Cuba and their people, and conducive to regional stability and development. It is also what the wider international community calls for," said Lin.
"China and Cuba are good friends, good comrades and good brothers. We feel for Cuba as it struggles. We believe under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban people will tide over the current difficulty and advance their socialist cause," the spokesman added.
During World War I from 1914 to 1918, the 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson enacted The Trading with the Enemy Act, which authorized Washington to restrict commercial activities with any nation that they consider an adversary.
Based on this legislation, then U.S. President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 3447 on February 7, 1962, which officially began an economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba that has survived 11 White House administrations.
US should lift blockade of Cuba: spokesman
US should lift blockade of Cuba: spokesman
The China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, offers a platform for the world to share in China's opportunities, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing on Monday.
Spokesman Lin Jian made the comments at a press briefing when responding to a media query about the just-concluded first phase of the 136th Canton Fair, which took place from Oct 15 to Oct 19 in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.
"The first phase of this year's Canton Fair on-site exhibition focuses on advanced manufacturing and has over 11,000 booths for 'little giant' enterprises that use special and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products or those who have been awarded individual manufacturing champion or named national high-tech enterprise, up by 35.5 percent compared with the last edition," Lin said.
Products using cutting-edge and new technologies made in China were showcased at the event and attracted many foreign buyers, he introduced.
"There will be another two phases of Canton Fair exhibition with a total floor area of 1.55 million square meters. About 125,000 pre-registered overseas buyers from 203 countries and regions and 223 out of the top 250 global retailers have confirmed to be part of the event," said Lin.
"The Canton Fair epitomizes China's continued opening up and offers a platform for the world to share in China's opportunities. There are new highlights at every Canton Fair. This not only proves the dynamism and resilience of China's economy, but also demonstrates China's confidence and determination in advancing Chinese modernization," he said. Launched in 1957, the Canton Fair is the country's oldest and largest trade fair. Held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou, it is seen as a significant barometer of China's foreign trade.
Canton Fair offeres world platform to share in China's opportunities: spokesman
