China has thrown its weight behind Cuba’s right to self-determination. On February 5, 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla—Cuba’s Foreign Minister and a special envoy of both the Cuban Communist Party and government—in Beijing.

The message from China’s top diplomat was unequivocal. Beijing “firmly supports” Havana in defending its national sovereignty and security, while strongly opposing “unwarranted interference by external forces” and any efforts to undermine the Cuban people’s rights to survival and development.

This diplomatic gesture arrives against a backdrop of heightened pressure on Cuba. The United States has recently intensified its economic sanctions and blockade, measures that have long been criticized as tools of coercion designed to isolate and destabilize the island.

Tensions spiked further following Washington’s actions against Venezuela, including the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally which have rippled through the region and highlighted the fragility of socialist-leaning governments in Latin America.

Wang Yi’s statements, echoed in official readouts from China’s Foreign Ministry and Xinhua, went beyond platitudes. He pledged that China stands ready to “provide support and assistance to the best of our ability,” citing the “complex and profound changes” unfolding across Latin America.

This commitment reflects Beijing’s consistent foreign policy doctrine: respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and opposition to unilateral sanctions or hegemonic pressure.

Notably, while the U.S. was not named directly in China’s official accounts, the subtext is unmistakable, especially as Washington tightens its grip on Cuba amid broader great-power competition.

For Cuba, enduring decades of embargo and economic hardship, this backing carries real weight. Rodríguez expressed deep appreciation for China’s consistent opposition to blockades and its concrete contributions to Cuba’s economic and social progress.

The visit highlights the enduring ideological affinity and strategic partnership between the two nations, both of which prioritize socialist development models suited to their contexts and resist external dictation.Skeptics in Western capitals may portray this as Beijing opportunistically expanding influence in the U.S.’s traditional sphere.

Yet such views overlook the principled consistency in China’s approach. By championing non-interference and mutual respect, Beijing positions itself as a reliable partner for Global South countries facing similar pressures, whether through sanctions, regime-change efforts, or economic coercion.

As Latin America navigates political shifts, economic challenges, and external pressures, the China-Cuba relationship appears more resilient than ever. This high-level engagement signals not just continuity but deepening cooperation in a multipolar world where developing nations increasingly seek alternatives to Western-dominated frameworks.

In standing resolutely with Cuba against external interference, China is articulating a broader vision. True international relations should rest on equality and sovereignty, not dominance and ultimatums.