The United States should immediately stop imposing blockade and sanctions against Cuba under any pretext, remove Cuba from the 'state sponsors of terrorism' list and do more things that are conducive to improving U.S.-Cuba relations, said Mao Ning, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.
Recently, the U.S. announced the expansion of its visa restrictions on Cuba, emphasizing that Cuba's overseas medical services are suspected of "forced labor" and will impose visa restrictions on current or former Cuban government officials, third-country officials and their immediate family members who are responsible for related affairs.
The foreign ministers of the Caribbean Community member states expressed their concerns about the relevant U.S. policies when meeting the U.S. State Department's special envoy for Latin American affairs in Washington, and several Caribbean leaders have also criticized the move.
"Cuba's overseas medical services are welcomed by the governments and people of Caribbean countries. The so-called 'forced labor' has become the 'perfect excuse' and hegemonic tool for the U.S. to suppress dissidents. The relevant measures of the U.S. are the continuation and strengthening of its blockade and sanctions against Cuba for more than 60 years. China opposes coercive diplomacy and urges the U.S. to immediately stop imposing blockade and sanctions against Cuba under any pretext, remove Cuba from the 'state sponsors of terrorism' list , do more things that are conducive to improving U.S.-Cuba relations, and do more practical things that truly help Caribbean countries," said Mao.
China urges US to immediately stop imposing blockade, sanctions against Cuba
Israel's intensified military operations in the Gaza Strip on Friday killed over 100 people and forced many already displaced residents to flee again amid heavy bombardment.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said late on Friday that they had "launched extensive attacks and mobilized forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip".
According to the IDF, the intensified assault marked the start of a new operation codenamed "Gideon's Chariots," which aims to expand the scope of fighting and advance key war objectives, including the release of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas.
"IDF troops will continue to operate in order to protect Israeli civilians and achieve the objectives of the war," the military said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would enter Gaza "with full force" in the coming days as part of efforts to defeat Hamas.
Health officials in Gaza said at least 109 people were killed and 216 wounded in the northern part of the territory.
"It was a bloody night in the northern Gaza Strip. The occupation bombed several residential homes directly and without prior warning. The attacks left dozens dead. More than 50 bodies were recovered and transferred to Al-Awda and Indonesian hospitals in northern Gaza. Dozens of civilians remain trapped under the rubble of their homes," said Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense.
Salah Al-Najjar, a displaced Palestinian from northern Gaza, recalled the moment the bombardment hit, saying his only hope now is to find a place to stay, even if it means sleeping on the street.
"The shelling was everywhere and in every direction. Our house was bombed and collapsed on us while we were inside. Now we are fleeing toward Gaza City to look for any place where we can set up a tent, even if it's in the street," Al-Najjar said.
"Since the beginning of the war, the bombings last night and today have been the most intense in two years. I was previously displaced to the south, and now I'm heading back to Gaza, only to return south again, as instructed by the Israeli army," said Yousef Al-Masry, another displaced Palestinian from northern Gaza.
The intensification followed Israel's resumption of military operations in Gaza on March 18, after a brief lull in the fighting. Since then, at least 2,985 Palestinians have been killed and 8,173 injured, bringing the total number of deaths since the conflict erupted in October 2023 to 53,119, with 120,214 wounded, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Expanded Israeli operations kill over hundred, displace more Gazans
