US and EU Unite on Sanctions Over China's Human Rights Abuses... "US Allies Must Join"

EU Imposes Human Rights Sanctions on North Korean Officials

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 22nd (local time), the United States imposed additional sanctions on two Chinese officials in connection with human rights abuses against ethnic minorities such as the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region of China. On the same day, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, and Canada also imposed sanctions on China. Notably, the EU's sanctions list included North Korea's Jong Kyong-thaek, Minister of State Security, Ri Yong-gil, Minister of Social Security, and the Central Prosecutor's Office.

Following the conclusion of the high-level US-China talks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Europe coincided with the United States and Europe intensifying their joint pressure on China regarding human rights abuses.

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Chinese officials Wang Junsheng and Chen Minggou for sanctions on the same day.

The EU also imposed human rights sanctions on more than 10 officials from six countries including North Korea and Russia, including four Chinese officials and one organization responsible for the repression of the Uyghurs. The EU's sanctions list also included North Korean figures. The UK and Canada announced sanctions on four Chinese officials and one organization as well.

Secretary of State Blinken emphasized the importance of allied sanctions on China’s human rights issues in a statement released that day.

Blinken pointed out that China is suppressing human rights in the Xinjiang region and praised the EU's human rights sanctions, saying, "We applaud the EU's human rights sanctions."

He added, "This European response is a warning to those who violate or abuse human rights. We will cooperate with like-minded allies to take further action."

He also argued that allies worldwide must unite against China's human rights abuses.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also indicated at a regular briefing that additional measures against China are not ruled out, signaling that US pressure on human rights issues is expected to intensify.

This sanctions announcement came after the US-China high-level 2+2 talks held in Alaska on the 18th and 19th ended without a joint statement amid disagreements and clashes over various issues.

The talks, which were regarded as a meeting of the century, ended without results, and the implementation of human rights-related sanctions raises concerns about the potential escalation of US-China conflicts in the future.

Meanwhile, Secretary Blinken will visit Europe from the 22nd to the 25th. He plans to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) foreign ministers' meeting and engage with senior EU officials as part of efforts to strengthen alliances.

The State Department, in a press release about Blinken's European visit issued that day, emphasized cooperation among allies while noting, "Although the EU and Canada are increasing defense spending, continued investment is necessary," suggesting the need for NATO countries to increase their defense contributions.

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