BEIJING (CU)_China on Friday (26 March) imposed sanctions on several individuals and organisations in the United Kingdom over what it described as “lies and disinformation” about Xinjiang, just days after the European nation announced similar restrictions on Chinese officials over human rights abuses in the western Chinese region.
According to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, sanctions have been imposed on nine individuals and four entities, including former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith and the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission.
It claimed that London’s move to impose sanctions on Chinese officials earlier this week amounted to a breach of “international law and basic norms governing international relations”, and was a gross interference in China’s internal affairs which severely undermines China-UK relations.
Accordingly, the nine individuals and their family members will be prohibited from entering mainland China, as well as Hong King and Macao, while their property in China will also be frozen. Moreover, Chinese citizens and institutions will be prohibited from doing business with these persons, the statement said.
The move is a retaliation to the coordinated sanctions imposed by the UK, the US, the EU and Canada on Chinese officials over human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
According to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, the measures were part of “intensive diplomacy” by the western nations in response to mounting evidence about serious violation of rights of the Uyghur Muslim people.
Nevertheless, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said: “China is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and warns the UK side not go further down the wrong path.”
Meanwhile, the former Conservative Party leader said on twitter that it is the duty of democratic nations to call out violation of rights by the communist regime.
“It’s our duty to call out the Chinese Govt’s human rights abuse in #HongKong & the genocide of the #Uyghurs. Those of us who live free lives under the rule of law must speak for those who have no voice. If that brings the anger of China down on me, I’ll wear that badge of honour,” Smith Tweeted.
According to rights experts and activists, at least 1 million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang, and some accuse Beijing of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations on this minority community.
