China Imposes Retaliatory Sanctions on UK Over Xinjiang Human Rights Abuses

(Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions banning transactions between British organizations and its own citizens regarding the Xinjiang Uyghur human rights issue, according to reports by the UK Guardian and others on the 25th (local time).

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release, "We warn the UK not to continue down the wrong path," and announced sanctions against four British institutions, including former Conservative Party leader Duncan Smith and the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, as well as nine individuals.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs prohibited the sanctioned individuals and their immediate family members from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and banned Chinese citizens and organizations from conducting transactions with them.

This is a retaliatory measure against the UK, which on the 22nd, together with the European Union (EU), the United States, Canada, and others, sanctioned Chinese officials and organizations.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UK of recklessly interfering in China's internal affairs by sanctioning Chinese individuals and institutions under the pretext of the Xinjiang human rights issue using lies and false information.

The Ministry summoned the British ambassador to China to lodge a stern protest, stating, "China is firmly determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests," and added, "China reserves the right to take further measures."

Earlier, China decided to sanction 10 European individuals and 4 organizations, including the EU Council Political and Security Committee (PSC) and Germany's prominent think tank, the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS).

The PSC is a permanent body of the EU Council dealing with foreign and security policy. It is composed of ambassadors from the 27 EU member states and meets every two weeks.

Ming Pao reported that the political media outlet Politico described the PSC as "the most important organization sanctioned by China."

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