China has reiterated that the 40-year-old sanctions that the United States imposed on Cuba are illegal and inhumane.

China's deputy representative to the UN, Zhang Yishan, made the comment at the UN General Assembly after voting for a resolution demanding an immediate end to the most unpopular sanctions with 178 other countries.

He recalled that similar resolutions have been adopted for 12 consecutive years, but the country concerned refused to comply.

The Chinese envoy says the United States is attempting to use embargos and sanctions to force another country to give up its independently chosen development road, and even to overthrow the existing government.

Zhang Yishan added nearly 80 countries have suffered economic losses as a result, let alone the Cuban people.

(CRI October 29, 2004)