Wang Wenbin, the spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Beijing, January 7 (RHC)-- China urged the United States on Friday to wholly and immediately lift its unilateral sanctions against Cuba, stop meddling in its internal affairs and manage mutual ties following international norms.

Wang Wenbin, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deplored as "coercive diplomacy" the punitive measures that Washington has recently imposed on institutions and officials of the island.

The United Nations General Assembly -he recalled- for 29 consecutive years has approved with resounding majority resolutions demanding the end of the U.S. economic, financial and commercial blockade against Cuba.

"We firmly support the efforts of the Cuban government and its people in their just struggle to defend national sovereignty, to oppose the interference of the powers, and to explore the path of development per their national conditions," the spokesman added.

Wang made this pronouncement while commenting on the White House decision to apply visa restrictions to eight officials from the Caribbean island.

The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said Thursday that this measure affects those "involved in attempts to silence the voices of the Cuban people" after the events of July 11. However, he did not specify who the sanctioned officials are.