Havana gets backing from Beijing, G77 at UN debate

China voiced support for Cuba on Tuesday at a UN General Assembly debate on the decades-long US economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Caribbean country, saying the measures have caused serious hardship for Cubans and should be brought to an end.

The General Assembly voted earlier on Tuesday to proceed with the debate by 136 votes in favor, nine against and 30 abstentions, despite opposition from the United States.

Speaking at the debate, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said China supported the convening of the meeting and voted in favor of holding it. The 136 votes in favor "fully demonstrated the aspiration of the international community and the call for justice", he said.