China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech

Respect for Gulf sovereignty and an end to pressure on Cuba dominated China’s UN speech, as Chinese Vice President Han Zheng pushed back without naming the US.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters on Saturday, September 26, 2026. (Photo: AP/Heather Khalifa)

UNITED NATIONS: China pushed back against the United States in its speech at the UN General Assembly on Saturday (Sep 26), saying the sovereignty of countries in the Gulf should be respected and urging the "relevant country" to stop threatening Cuba and lift its blockade on it.

Vice President Han Zheng did not mention the US by name in his remarks. The US has launched a pressure campaign on Cuba that has largely blocked oil from reaching the island, while the US war on Iran started with US-Israeli strikes in February.