Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Condemns Trump's Signing of Uyghur Human Rights Act, Hints at Retaliation

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] On the 17th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump signed the "2020 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act," which allows sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses against the Islamic minority in China, prompting the Chinese government to protest and hint at retaliation.

On the 18th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "The intent of the '2020 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act' is to slander the human rights situation in China's Xinjiang region, viciously attack the Chinese government's Xinjiang governance policies, and trample on international law and the basic norms of international relations," adding, "It is a violent interference in China's internal affairs, and China expresses strong anger and opposition."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "The Xinjiang issue is not about human rights, ethnicity, or religion, but about anti-terrorism and anti-separatism," and stated, "In the past, the Xinjiang region was seriously threatened by separatist activities, endangering the lives and property of the Chinese people. However, the government has carried out various operations in Xinjiang and effectively suppressed terrorism. It has guaranteed the basic rights of the people, including the right to life, health, and development. In the past three years, not a single terrorist incident has occurred."

It continued, "This U.S. legislation ignores facts and reverses right and wrong," and criticized, "The U.S. has damaged China's sovereignty and security and provoked ethnic relations in China. It is a sinister attempt to destroy Xinjiang's prosperity and stability and to suppress China's development."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We want to make it clear to the U.S. side that the Xinjiang issue is China's internal affair," and warned, "We will not tolerate any foreign interference. China is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and interests. We urge the U.S. to stop interfering in China using this legislation. Otherwise, China will retaliate, and the U.S. will bear full responsibility for all consequences."

The "2020 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act," signed by President Trump, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on the 27th of last month following the Senate. The bill requires that within 180 days of its enactment, the identities of those involved in human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region be reported to Congress, and sanctions such as freezing their assets in the U.S. and banning their entry into the U.S. be imposed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.