China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty, security: spokesman

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and in opposing external interference, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday.

Guo made the statement at a press conference in Beijing in response to a question regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order on Thursday threatening to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba.

"China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and in opposing external interference, and resolutely opposes any actions and inhumane practices that deprive the Cuban people of their right to survival and development," Guo said.

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty, security: spokesman

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty, security: spokesman

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty, security: spokesman

The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people must be respected and protected, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

Mao made the remarks in response to a media query about the reports that the Israeli parliament recently adopted a new law introducing death penalty for Palestinians, and countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expressed strong condemnation, saying such practice is "entrenching a system of apartheid."

"All legislation must conform to legal principles such as the principle of legality, fairness and justice, and must not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality or political view. The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people must be respected and protected. Relevant party’s actions that escalate tensions and exacerbate confrontation must stop," said Mao.

Palestinian people's legitimate rights must be respected, protected: Chinese FM spokeswoman