Cuba said that the United States’ relaxation of some sanctions against Cuba is a ＂limited step＂ in the right direction.

　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 17 (Xinhua News Agency) Comprehensive Xinhua News Agency reporters in Havana and Washington reported that the Cuban Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 16th, saying that the US government’s announcement on the same day to relax some sanctions against Cuba was a "limited step" in the right direction, but the US has not changed its policy of blockade and "extreme pressure" on Cuba.

　　On the 16th, the State Council announced some adjustments to Cuba’s measures, including increasing the consular services of the US Embassy in Cuba and the number of visas for visiting the United States, simplifying the application procedures for American families to visit relatives in Cuba, canceling the quarterly remittance limit of US$ 1,000 to Cuban relatives, supporting the donation of remittances to Cuban entrepreneurs, and providing small loans and training support to Cuban private economic practitioners.

　　The Cuban Foreign Ministry responded that the measures against Cuba announced by the US government were "positive but the coverage was very limited". The United States has not lifted the long-term blockade against Cuba, nor has it removed Cuba from the list of "countries supporting terrorism", and still maintains most of the sanctions imposed on Cuba during the administration of former US President Trump.

　　The statement reiterated that the Cuban government is willing to conduct a respectful dialogue with the US government on the basis of equality without interfering in internal affairs and fully respecting independence and sovereignty.

　　After the victory of the Cuban revolution in 1959, the US government adopted a hostile policy towards Cuba. In 1961, the United States and Cuba broke off diplomatic relations. In 1962, then US President Kennedy officially announced the implementation of economic and financial blockade and trade embargo against Cuba. In 2015, the two countries resumed diplomatic relations, but the United States did not completely lift the ancient blockade. After the Trump administration took office in 2017, the United States once again tightened its policy toward Cuba and continuously upgraded its sanctions against Cuba. (Participating in reporters: Zhu Wanjun, Lin Zhaohui, Deng Xianlai)