China ordered sanctions of UK lawmakers and entities

China on Friday ordered sanctions on over a dozen British people, and entities over what it says are "lies and disinformation" about Xinjiang.

Friday, 26th March 2021

China ordered sanctions of UK lawmakers and entities

China on Friday ordered sanctions on over a dozen British people, and entities over what it says are "lies and disinformation" about Xinjiang, in a tit for tat action after the UK and European Union sanctioned Chinese officials for human rights violations in the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the fines apply to four entities and nine individuals, including five MPs. The people concerned and their direct family members are now banned from entering China's mainland as well as Hong Kong and Macao, and Chinese citizens or businesses are prohibited from doing enterprise with them. Also read: First takes between US and China turns blunt "The United Kingdom demanded single sanctions o0000n relevant Chinese people and entity, citing the so-called social rights problems in Xinjiang," the ministry said. "This move, based on zero lies and disinformation, flagrantly breaches international law and basic norms managing foreign relations, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, and severely impairs China-UK relations," it added. The ministry also said it had asked the British ambassador to China to protest. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, an MP, said on Twitter he would wear the sanctions as "an emblem of honour". Also read: China is ‘committing genocide’ against Uighur minority: Mike Pompeo Other individuals targeted include MPs Tom Tugendhat, Neil O'Brien, Tim Loughton, Nusrat Ghani; peers David Alton, Helena Kennedy, and attorney David Alton academic Joanne Nicola Smith Finley. The entities named are the China Research Group, the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, the Uyghur Tribunal and Essex Court Chambers. Also read: China bans “BBC NEWS” by calling it “fake news source” They join the 10 European individuals and four things already hit by Chinese sentences earlier this week as the delicate row over Xinjiang escalates. Beijing is accused of serious abuses towards the Uyghurs.