| Statement by Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yishan at the 58th Session of the General Assembly on Agenda Item 29: "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" (11/04/2003) |
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| 2004/04/19 |
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Mr. President,
Resolutions have been adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations for 11 consecutive years urging all countries to comply with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles enshrined in the international legal instruments, repeal or invalidate all the laws and measures with the extraterritorial effects that affect the sovereignty of other States, the legitimate interests of entities or persons under their jurisdiction and the freedom of trade and navigation. Regrettably, the country concerned, continuing to ignore the just demand of the international community, has failed to implement the above-mentioned resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
To force a country to give up its independently chosen road of development and to even attempt to overthrow its government through embargo and sanction runs counter to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms guiding the international relations. It is also an act of distorting and violating the principle of democracy.
The embargo and sanction imposed by the United States against Cuba have been going on for more than 40 years. The United States has claimed that these are aimed at enhancing the so-called democracy and human rights. But in reality, they have seriously constrained Cuba in its nation-building efforts to eradicate poverty, improve people's living standard, and promote economic and social development. This poses a grave violation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the Cuban people, including the right of subsistence and development. The extraterritorial effects of the financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba has violated the international law and the principles, objectives and rules of international trade. It also runs counter to the principle of free trade encouraged by the United States itself. Currently, 78 countries have suffered economic losses as a result of the sanction. The international community should raise serious concern over such embargo and sanction and demand an immediate end.
Mr. President,
The sovereign equality of States and non-interference in their internal affairs remain the essence of the norms guiding the present-day international relations. It is the consistent position of the Chinese Government that the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations should be abided by in the efforts to promote democratization of the international relations and common development and prosperity of all countries. It is the inviolable sovereign right of all countries to choose their political and social systems and mode of development and administer their internal affairs in accordance with their national conditions. State-to-state differences should be solved through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The Chinese Government opposes the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba. We support the Cuban Government and people in their endeavor to safeguard national independence and state sovereignty. We hope that the U.S. Government will keep pace with the times, replace confrontation with dialogue, embargo and sanction with communication and exchange, and earnestly implement the relevant resolutions of the United Nations. China supports the draft resolution submitted by Cuba under the current agenda item.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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