Washington urged to end blockade on Havana

China has blasted the United States for making "forced labor" an excuse for suppressing dissidence, urging Washington to stop the blockade and sanctions on Cuba in any name.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks on Wednesday after the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month announced the expansion of a visa restriction policy to target Cuban officials believed to be tied to a labor program that sends Cuban workers overseas, particularly healthcare workers.

The expanded restrictions target individuals and immediate family members of individuals believed to be responsible for the program, which Rubio described as "forced labor".