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China hits back after US sanctions on senior Chinese officials over Xinjiang human rights abuses

Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Quanguo speaks during a meeting - AFP
Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Quanguo speaks during a meeting - AFP

China said on Friday it will impose tit-for-tat measures after the United States brought in sanctions on Chinese officials for their involvement in a crackdown on Muslim minorities, raising tensions between the superpowers.

The US on Thursday introduced sanctions on senior Chinese officials responsible for severe human rights abuses against ethnic and religious minorities, the latest move in a longstanding diplomatic row with Beijing.

Restrictions include barring Chinese officials and their family members from entering the US, freezing their US-based assets, and prohibiting Americans from doing business with them.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a briefing: "The US actions seriously interfere in China's internal affairs, seriously violate the basic norms of international relations, and seriously damage China-US relations."

Without providing details of the plans, he added: "China has decided to impose reciprocal measures against the relevant US institutions and individuals who behave badly on Xinjiang-related issues."

Washington has blacklisted Chen Quanguo, a member of China’s powerful Politburo and Communist Party secretary of Xinjiang region, where the human rights abuses have been taking place.

Other officials targeted by the sanctions include Mr Chen’s deputy, Zhu Hailun; Wang Mingshan, the current party secretary of the public security bureau in Xinjiang, and his predecessor, Huo Liujun.

People who believe their families and relatives to be detained by Chinese authorities in internment camps Xinjiang Province  - Sam Tarling 
People who believe their families and relatives to be detained by Chinese authorities in internment camps Xinjiang Province - Sam Tarling

“The United States will not stand idly by as the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] carries out human rights abuses targeting Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang,” said Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state.

Those rights violations have included “forced labour, arbitrary mass detention, and forced population control, and attempts to erase their culture and Muslim faith,” he said.

Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin echoed Mr Pompeo’s remarks, saying the US was “committed to using the full breadth of its financial powers to hold human rights abusers accountable in Xinjiang and across the world.”

The US and China have been engaged in a wide-ranging diplomatic spat over trade issues, the coronavirus outbreak, Beijing’s move to squeeze freedoms in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, and geopolitical tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Portraits of China's President Xi Jinping (L) and US President Donald Trump - AFP
Portraits of China's President Xi Jinping (L) and US President Donald Trump - AFP

Beijing has typically viewed US actions as aimed at containing the country’s rise, chiding the US for “meddling with internal affairs,” as reiterated this week.

“China cannot and will not become another America,” said foreign minister Wang Yi, saying the Communist Party system worked for the country of 1.4 billion.

Instead, Washington and Beijing should explore ways for peaceful coexistence and garner more “positive energy,” said Mr Wang.

But despite indicating interest in compromise, China has largely continued to act despite warnings from Western nations to rethink its actions.

Last week, Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on Hong Kong, disregarding international outcry. The law  details of which were unveiled as it came into force – criminalises secession, separatism, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, punishable by up to life in prison.

Police officers try to stop a woman waving a US flag during a march to celebrate US Independence Day outside the US consulate in Hong Kong - Anadolu
Police officers try to stop a woman waving a US flag during a march to celebrate US Independence Day outside the US consulate in Hong Kong - Anadolu

Suspects can also face trial in mainland China, where opaque courts controlled by the ruling Communist Party have a 99.9 per cent conviction rate. It also allows secretive mainland security agencies to operate openly in Hong Kong for the first time.

Chinese state-owned banks are reportedly prepping contingency plans in case US sanctions are imposed in response to the new national security law in Hong Kong. Canada and Australia have already announced suspension of extradition agreements with Hong Kong.

Washington also announced earlier this week that it would restrict visas for Chinese officials over human rights abuses in Tibet areas, in response to Beijing “systematically” obstructing travel to the region for foreign diplomats, journalists and tourists.