The Trump administration on Wednesday publicly renewed an offer of US$100 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba, stepping up pressure on Havana despite Beijing’s continued political and economic backing for the island.

The announcement came as US President Donald Trump travelled to China this week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with Trump saying before departure that Cuba would be among the issues discussed during the visit.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the State Department said the aid would be distributed through the Catholic Church and other independent humanitarian organisations, while accusing Cuba’s communist government of refusing previous US offers of help, including support for satellite internet access.

“The decision rests with the Cuban regime to accept our offer of assistance or deny critical life-saving aid,” the department said, adding that Cuban authorities would ultimately be accountable to the population if they blocked the proposal.

The South China Morning Post contacted the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on Wednesday seeking details about the proposal, but did not immediately receive a response.

Before leaving for Beijing, Trump suggested Havana was seeking talks with Washington despite his administration’s hardline pressure campaign against the island.