Responding To Alleged Lies In Xinjiang, China Imposes Sanctions On Britain

Picture illustration of Kota Xinjiang. (Wikimedia Commons / Anagoria)

JAKARTA - Chinese authorities imposed sanctions on organizations and individuals in Britain on Friday, in reaction to China's 'lies and disinformation about Xinjiang, days after Britain imposed sanctions on alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang.

In a statement, China's Foreign Ministry sanctioned four entities and nine individuals in Britain, including former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith and the Conservative Party's Commission on Human Rights.

The targeted British individuals and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering Chinese territory. In addition, Chinese citizens and institutions will be barred from doing business with them, according to the statement.

The move is in retaliation for a series of coordinated sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, Britain, and Canada against Beijing earlier this week.

Prior to Britain, China has responded similarly, by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the European Union, shortly after sanctions for them were announced.

The UN rights activists and experts say at least 1 million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. Activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labor, and sterilization.

China has repeatedly denied all allegations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are necessary to fight extremism.

"China is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, its security and development interests, and warned the British side not to go further down the wrong path. Otherwise, China will firmly make a further reaction", the Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed.