China's total electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, exceeded 8.07 trillion kilowatt-hours during the first three quarters of the year, rising 3.9 percent year on year, according to data released by the National Energy Administration on Wednesday.
The high-tech and equipment manufacturing sectors led industrial growth, with power usage climbing 8.7 percent to 961.9 billion kWh, underscoring solid progress in advanced manufacturing and high-end industrial transformation.
Emerging services tied to the green and digital economies also registered standout performances. Electricity demand for electric vehicle charging and battery-swapping facilities surged 55.4 percent year on year, while internet data services saw power consumption soar 41.6 percent.
China's power consumption up 3.9 pct in Jan-Sept
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Wednesday accused the United States of swaying an upcoming UN General Assembly vote on ending the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba by putting pressure on other countries.
The UN General Assembly will consider and vote on the draft resolution "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" on Oct 27-28, the 34th time it has taken up the issue. For years, the resolution has been supported by the majority of the international community.
At a press conference in the capital Havana on Wednesday, Rodriguez condemned the U.S. government's pressure on other countries in an attempt to influence the General Assembly vote.
"Although some countries have firmly supported this resolution for decades, the United States has asked them to abstain or simply leave the hall and not vote this year. It's absurd," he said.
Rodriguez said the U.S. State Department is pressuring other countries through threats of punitive tariffs, suspension of cooperation projects, visa refusals and sanctions, seeking to change the voting positions of many delegations that support Cuba. He said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has personally joined the pressure campaign.
Rodriguez said this new and dangerous approach to multilateral diplomacy shows that Washington knows it lacks legitimacy and has no strength left but to resort to power politics.
He also condemned an arrest warrant issued by the U.S. state of Florida for former Cuban President Raul Castro.
"The U.S. side's issuance of an arrest warrant against Cuban Revolution leader, Army General Raul Castro Ruz, is a despicable and futile act with no legal significance and no moral legitimacy. As President Miguel Diaz-Canel said recently, it will have no practical effect," he said.
Cuba slams US for pressing countries to abstain from UNGA vote on lifting blockade
