China says will hit back against US sanctions over Uighur rights

Washington: China said on Friday it would take “reciprocal measures” against the US after Washington imposed sanctions on senior Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority.
Beijing described the new US sanctions as “deeply detrimental” to mutual relations, already strained by differences over China’s handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak and its tightening grip on Hong Kong.
Washington imposed sanctions on the autonomous region of Xinjiang’s Communist Party secretary Chen Quanguo, a member of China’s powerful Politburo, and three other officials.

A senior US administration official described Chen as the highest ranking Chinese official that the US has sanctioned.

The decision is “no joke”, the US official said. “Not only in terms of symbolic and reputational affect, but it does have real meaning on a person’s ability to move around the world and conduct business.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing the US decision was a serious interference in Chinese affairs.

“In light of these wrong actions, China will impose reciprocal measures on US officials and organisations that have displayed egregious behaviour on human rights in relation to Xinjiang affairs,” Zhao said.

“We urge the US to correct this wrong decision. If the US continues to proceed, China will take firm countermeasures.”