China's vice president calls on UN members to consider Iran and Cuba

What This is

• China’s Vice President Han Zheng used a U.N. General Assembly speech to promote multilateralism and portray China as a partner to developing countries.
• Han criticized unilateral military action and urged countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and U.N. Security Council authorization rather than force.
• Han pushed back against U.S. policy on Iran, calling for respect for the sovereignty and security of Gulf and Middle Eastern states amid U.S.-Iran tensions.
• Han called on the United States to stop threatening Cuba and lift what he described as a U.S. blockade, while criticizing sanctions and threats more broadly.
• Han also used the speech to tout China’s development approach, including the Belt and Road initiative, and warned against protectionism.
• The speech came as the United States has alleged China aided Iran and helped it evade sanctions, adding tension to China’s public call for diplomacy.

Why This Matters

• The speech highlights China’s push for a world order that limits sanctions and the use of force unless the U.N. approves it.
• It underscores how big powers use the U.N. to win support among developing countries by linking security disputes to development aid and trade.
• It can affect how isolated Iran and Cuba become by signaling whether more countries will resist or cooperate with U.S. pressure.
• It adds friction in U.S.-China relations by pairing public criticism with efforts to keep top-level talks going.