United Nations, September 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
China used its UN General Assembly address on Saturday to underline its differences with the United States on multilateralism, trade, military action and sanctions, two days after Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump held talks in Washington.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng did not name the United States directly, but called for greater respect for the UN Charter and national sovereignty while opposing unilateral military action.
“Countries’ sovereignty and security in the Middle East, including the Gulf, should be respected,” Han said, calling for differences and disputes to be resolved through dialogue and consultation and opposing unilateral military actions that violate the UN Charter or bypass Security Council authorisation.
Han also backed a UN-centred international system and called for “common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security”. Chinese Foreign Ministry statements during Han’s UN visit have similarly emphasised support for the UN’s central role in international affairs and greater multilateral cooperation.
On trade, Han defended the World Trade Organization-centred multilateral system amid continuing tariff tensions and restrictions on international commerce.
“We must firmly safeguard the WTO-centred, rules-based multilateral trading system, build an open world economy,” he said, warning against protectionism and the disruption of global supply chains.
Han also criticised what he described as a self-centred approach to international relations, saying that “condescension and the self-centred mindset have no place in the interactions among different cultures.”
On Cuba, China reiterated its opposition to the US economic, commercial and financial embargo. Beijing has consistently called for the lifting of the blockade and sanctions against Havana, including during UN discussions on the issue.
Han’s remarks came shortly after Xi’s meeting with Trump in Washington. Chinese official accounts of Xi’s US visit show that the two leaders held talks on September 25, followed by further engagements during the visit.
The statements at the UN highlighted areas where Beijing and Washington continue to hold differing positions despite the leaders’ high-level engagement, particularly over the role of the UN, trade rules and the use of unilateral economic or military measures.
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