Beijing denounces US 'sabotage' of Cuba-China relations

The Chinese government denounced as "sabotage" this Friday (6) the new United States sanctions against Cuba, which include two companies from the Asian country for the first time.

The new round of sanctions, announced on Thursday, focuses on the island's oil and technology sector, against which Washington has launched an economic pressure strategy.

Among the companies affected are Chinese electronics companies CEIEC and Beijing H&C Technologies, which Washington accuses of selling defense material and security systems to Cuba.

"China strongly opposes the United States' interference and sabotage in cooperation between China and Cuba," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference.

Jiakun also warned that China had taken "all necessary measures" to safeguard the interests of its companies on the Caribbean island.

Since January, the United States government has imposed harsh sanctions and an oil blockade against Cuba, which has paralyzed the country's economy and caused widespread blackouts and product shortages.

American President Donald Trump even hinted at the possibility of launching a military intervention to overthrow the Communist Party that governs the island.