China expresses displeasure over Xinjiang issue as UK follows EU in imposing sanctions...

China bans entry to mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau for 9 individuals from 4 UK institutions
Chinese citizens' boycott of global brands like H&M and Nike spreads widely

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The conflict between China and the European Union (EU) is rapidly escalating, as Chinese authorities impose sanctions on British institutions and individuals over human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. After China sanctioned four Chinese officials and one organization, citing the EU's responsibility for the oppression and human rights abuses against the Uygur people in Xinjiang, the European side retaliated with sanctions against 10 individuals and four organizations.

Moreover, with U.S. President Joe Biden stating that he will demand China act according to international norms, fair competition, and fair trade principles, the Western bloc is forming a united front, making the relationship with China expected to become even more strained.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 26th that it has sanctioned four British institutions and nine individuals, banning the sanctioned individuals and their families from entering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This is a retaliatory measure against the UK, which on the 22nd, along with the EU, the U.S., Canada, and others, sanctioned Chinese officials and organizations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UK of using falsehoods and misinformation about human rights issues in Xinjiang as a pretext to sanction Chinese individuals and institutions, severely interfering in China's internal affairs. The ministry also summoned the British ambassador to China to lodge a stern protest, emphasizing that "China reserves the right to take further measures."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "China is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security, and development interests," warning that "the UK should not continue down the wrong path. Otherwise, China will take further resolute countermeasures."

The Chinese people are also rallying around the Chinese leadership, launching boycotts against EU and U.S. products.

Following news of the EU's sanctions on China, boycotts against EU and U.S. companies such as H&M and Nike have begun in China.

Searches for H&M-related products have been suspended on major Chinese online shopping platforms like Taobao, JD.com, and Tmall. Additionally, Baidu (China's equivalent of Naver and Daum) has stopped its map service that shows H&M store locations, and Huawei, Xiaomi, and Vivo have blocked downloads of the H&M app from their smartphone app stores.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Nike has also become a target of the boycott. Some Chinese netizens expressed their anger by posting videos online of burning Nike shoes.

Chinese netizens have also added Uniqlo, Adidas, Gap, Fila, and New Balance to the boycott list, posting these companies' statements related to Xinjiang alongside.

As public sentiment worsened against these global companies, over 30 Chinese actors who serve as models for these companies and products issued statements announcing the termination of their partnerships.

The Chinese leadership has supported the boycott by its citizens, suggesting the movement will intensify.

Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed at a regular briefing the previous day that "ordinary Chinese citizens have the right to express their views and emotions."

Gao Feng, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, also stated, "Chinese consumers have already responded with actions to individual companies making commercial decisions based on false information."

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