China urges United States to cease defaming relations with Cuba

China has called on the United States to cease defaming relations between other nations and to withdraw sanctions and the blockade against Cuba. Beijing reiterated its support for Cuba's sovereignty and defended its own cooperation with the Caribbean nation as legitimate.

The diplomatic friction follows the U.S. Department of State's announcement of new sanctions targeting five state entities and eight Cuban officials. These measures are linked to the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces regarding alleged military cooperation with Russia and China, as well as arms imports.

The sanctions involve freezing assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting U.S. persons and companies from conducting transactions with the designated individuals. Among those sanctioned are high-ranking officials, including the Cuban Minister of the Armed Forces, Álvaro López Miera, and military attachés stationed in Russia and China.