China backs Cuba's sovereignty, opposes external interference: spokeswoman

China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, and opposes any form of external interference, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

Mao made the remarks in response to a question regarding recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about Cuba. "China consistently upholds respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and opposes any infringement upon other countries' sovereignty or interference in their internal affairs under any pretext. China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its sovereignty and security and opposes external interference," Mao said.

Chinese equities participated in a broader market selloff on Monday amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, which continued to weigh on investor risk sentiment, according to Wang Yin, market analyst at China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Chinese stocks closed mixed on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.24 percent to 3,923.29 points.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.25 percent lower at 13,726.19 points.

"The Shanghai Composite Index fell as much as 1 percent before recouping the losses and gaining 0.24 percent at the close today. The Shanghai Composite Index has tumbled around 6 percent so far in March, which is largely wiped out all the year-to-date gain. But the index today was mainly boosted by shares of commercial aerospace and aluminum concept of sectors. Also, shares of the gold sector and energy sector outperformed with the gold sector gaining 3.4 percent and energy sector rising nearly 1 percent, with Shandong Gold Mining jumping 5.5 percent," Wang said.

"But on the flip side, the Shenzhen Component Index ended today lower by 0.24 percent. The CSI 300 Index declined as 0.24 percent. Shares of photovoltaic battery and wind power concepts leading the losses. Huadian New Energy Group was the biggest lagger tumbling 5.5 percent," she continued.