Beijing: China on Thursday expressed support for Cuba safeguarding its 'national sovereignty' and rejected any 'unwarranted' external interference. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the comments during a meeting with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla in Beijing, asserting that 'upholding fairness and justice' has always been a 'consistent principle' of China's foreign policy.

According to Anadolu Agency, Wang highlighted that amidst a shifting international landscape, China and Cuba have consistently maintained 'sincere mutual trust and stood together,' as stated in a release on the ministry's website. Wang emphasized China's firm support for Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, opposing any unwarranted interference by external forces, and rejecting any attempts to deprive the Cuban people of their right to survival and development.

Wang further expressed Beijing's readiness to work with Havana to advance 'friendly ties between the two countries' and collaborate with like-minded nations in efforts to enhance solidarity among the Global South and uphold regional and global peace.

The meeting between the two foreign ministers came in the wake of remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated last month that the US desires regime change in Cuba, though he noted, 'That doesn't mean that we're going to make a change, but we would love to see a change.'

In a related development, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 30 imposing tariffs on goods from countries supplying oil to Cuba. The White House justified the decision as a measure to protect US national security and foreign policy interests from what it described as Cuba's 'harmful actions and policies.'

Despite these developments, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio clarified that there is no ongoing negotiation process with Washington, although Cuba remains open to dialogue with the US.