New York, 17 June - China's representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has strongly criticised unilateral coercive measures that he says undermine international law, damage state sovereignty and impede global development.
In his speech, he said that these sanctions - often applied by Western states - violate basic human rights in the target countries, such as the right to life, health and development. They also undermine collective decision-making mechanisms, such as the authority of the UN Security Council.
According to Fu Cung, measures such as financial embargoes, trade restrictions and long-arm jurisdictions cause humanitarian crises, hinder the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and increase global inequalities. They disrupt international trade and technological cooperation and destabilise global supply chains.
Fu called on UN member states to reject these practices and help the affected countries. He also called on states to respect the UN Charter and international law.
The United Nations General Assembly subsequently passed a resolution setting out 4 December as International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures.
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