diplomacySaturday, September 26, 202610 sources

China Condemns U.S. Policies on Iran and Cuba in UN Address by Vice President Han Zheng

China's UN speech, delivered by Vice President Han Zheng, directly criticized U.S. policies toward Iran and Cuba, emphasizing respect for Gulf sovereignty and an end to pressure on Cuba. The remarks contrasted sharply with the positive diplomatic interactions between the U.S. and China earlier in the week.

China's speech, held at the United Nations on September 26, 2026, condemned U.S. actions in the Gulf and its stance on Cuba. The address, which did not explicitly name the United States, called for an end to external pressure on Cuba and respect for the sovereignty of Gulf nations. The speech was reported by multiple outlets, including Reuters, Nikkei Asia, and CNA, which noted the absence of direct U.S. naming in the address. The remarks stood in stark contrast to the warm diplomatic exchanges between the U.S. and China earlier in the week, including a state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump for Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The U.S. and China had previously engaged in positive diplomatic interactions, but China's speech marked a shift in tone, highlighting tensions over regional policies. The speech was widely reported across multiple international news outlets, with no significant divergence in the key facts presented.

Timelines

Sources

IndependentNikkei AsiaSep 27, 02:48 AM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - Nikkei Asia

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

WireReutersSep 26, 09:35 PM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - Reuters

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

PublicChannel News AsiaSep 26, 09:23 PM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech

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

IndependentHerald SunSep 26, 09:08 PM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - Herald Sun

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

IndependentThe Courier-MailSep 26, 09:08 PM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - couriermail.com.au

China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech  couriermail.com.au

IndependentMiddle East EyeSep 26, 07:36 PM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - Middle East Eye

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

IndependentThe HinduSep 26, 07:10 PM
China pushes back against U.S. on Iran and Cuba in UN speech

The comments stood in sharp ⁠contrast to the bonhomie on display earlier this week at the White House, where President Donald Trump feted Chinese leader Xi Jinping with military flyovers and at a lavish ​state dinner

IndependentJerusalem PostSep 26, 06:52 PM
China goes after US policy on Iran and Cyba in UN address - The Jerusalem Post

China goes after US policy on Iran and Cyba in UN address  The Jerusalem Post

WireReutersSep 26, 06:30 PM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - reuters.com

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

IndependentStraits TimesSep 26, 06:22 PM
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech - The Straits Times

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