China on Tuesday called for the United States to lift its almost five-decade trade and travel embargo against Cuba.

"The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution urging the United States to end its embargo against Cuba, which China approved," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said at a regular briefing.

Ma's comments came a day ahead of the UN General Assembly's vote on a similar resolution, the 18th consecutive year that the resolution has been brought to the assembly.

"The Chinese government, as always, maintains that all countries observe the purpose and principle of the UN charter and international laws," Ma said.

"In dealing with country-to-country relations, dialogue should replace confrontation while engagement and exchanges should supersede embargoes and sanctions," Ma said.

The United States imposed the trade embargo on Cuba in early 1960s when both countries severed diplomatic ties.

Over 17 consecutive years since 1992, a majority in the United Nations General Assembly have supported lifting the unilateral U.S. embargo.